THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO

WORLD CUP 2018

CONTENTS
P60 P62 P64 P66

A RG E N T I N A AU ST RA L I A B E LG I U M B RA Z I L

P68 P70 P72 P74

CO LO M B I A CO STA R I CA C ROAT I A DENMARK

P76 P78 P80 P82

EGY P T E NG L A N D F RA NC E GERMANY

P84 P86 P88 P90

ICELAND I RA N JA PA N M E X I CO

P92 P94 P96 P98

M O RO CCO NIGERIA PA N A M A PERU

P100 P102 P104 P106

PO L A N D PO RT U GA L RUSSIA SAU D I A RA B I A

P108 P110 P112 P114

S E N EGA L SERBIA S O U T H KO R E A S PA I N

P116 P118 P120 P122

SW E D E N SW I T Z E R L A N D TUNISIA U R U GUAY
THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO

WORLD
CUP2018 CONTENTS
48

40

32

18 22

6 Classic images HEROES 82 Germany

18 Kits 32 Pele 84 Iceland
24 England’s greatest goals 34 Geoff Hurst 86 Iran
46 Mascots 35 Johan Cruyff 88 Japan
48 Stadiums 36 Diego Maradona 90 Mexico
130 Fixtures 36 Ronaldo 92 Morocco
38 Franz Beckenbauer 94 Nigeria
STAR INTERVIEWS 39 Mario Gotze 96 Panama
20 Lionel Messi 98 Peru
30 Cristiano Ronaldo TEAM GUIDES 100 Poland
60 Argentina 102 Portugal
STAR PROFILES 62 Australia 104 Russia
22 Harry Kane 64 Belgium 106 Saudi Arabia
28 Neymar 66 Brazil 108 Senegal
40 Antoine Griezmann 68 Colombia 110 Serbia
42 Gareth Southgate 70 Costa Rica 112 South Korea
54 Toni Kroos 72 Croatia 114 Spain
56 Isco 74 Denmark 116 Sweden
76 Egypt 118 Switzerland
78 England 120 Tunisia
80 France 122 Uruguay
4 WORLD CUP 2018
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WORLD CUP 2018 5

 Classic Images
Unforgettable moments from previous tournaments that
captivated the watching world

6 WORLD CUP 2018

 1958
Brazil celebrate becoming the first country to
win a World Cup outside their own continent
after beating Sweden 5-2 in Stockholm.

WORLD CUP 2018 7

 Classic Images

1966
Bobby Charlton parades the World Cup
around Wembley Stadium after England’s
4-2 victory over West Germany.

8 WORLD CUP 2018

WORLD CUP 2018 9
 Classic Images

1986
Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal helps
Argentina to beat England 2-1 in the
quarter-finals in Mexico.

10 WORLD CUP 2018

WORLD CUP 2018 11
 Classic Images

1994
Roberto Baggio’s miss in the penalty
shoot-out hands Brazil a 3-2 victory in the
Final at Pasadena’s Rose Bowl in the USA.

12 WORLD CUP 2018

WORLD CUP 2018 13
 Classic Images

14 WORLD CUP 2018

 2006
France’s Zinedine Zidane is sent off for head-
butting Marco Materazzi in the chest as Italy go
on to win the Final on penalties in Germany.

WORLD CUP 2018 15

 Classic Images

2014
Andre Schurrle (left) celebrates scoring
Germany’s sixth goal in their 7-1 semi-final
thrashing of hosts Brazil.

16 WORLD CUP 2018

WORLD CUP 2018 17
Mexico away South Korea

Croatia

Russia Colombia
Japan

S
N...

T
T I

I
S
THIS JU

EW K
N N THE
O Here’s
our sel
ection

England Belgium away

18 WORLD CUP 2018

 Argentina Portugal

Sweden away

Spain

Saudi Arabia

BLOCK o r l d Cu
p strips
e st W
of the b

Brazil Germany

WORLD CUP 2018 19

 STAR INTERVIEW: LIONEL MESSI

20 WORLD CUP 2018

 OUT OF THIS
WORLD
The planet’s best player opens up about his life off the pitch
Is it easy being Lionel Messi?
“I’m a normal person who tries to have a
family life. Yes, it’s true that I’d like to go
unnoticed and have a normal life without
everyone watching me from time to time.”
How has the birth of your children
changed your family life?
“It’s a very big change in every respect. You
start to see different things, and in a different
way. The truth is that being a father is the
most beautiful thing that’s happened to me
in all my life. In the morning I take Thiago
and Mateo to school and when I come back
from training I practically leave straight away
to pick up Thiago.”
Do the kids ask you to play football with
them at home?
“Thiago is already going to training, but they
don’t often ask me to play.”
When you get home, do you talk football
with wife Antonella and the children, or
are you able to leave that at the door
and disconnect completely?
“We talk very little about football at home.
Something very big has to happen at the
club or in the national team for it to be a
subject at home.”
What do your children ask you? Do they
understand who Lionel Messi is?
“Mateo finds it strange when someone comes
and asks for a photo or an autograph. He
doesn’t understand. Thiago is starting to
understand; more or less but not quite. He
likes to go to the stadium and watch games,
but he doesn’t fully understand. Sometimes
at home he sees me and calls me ‘Messi’ like
the fans do. He doesn’t quite understand.”
What will you do in the future? Will you
be a coach or do you see yourself living
Normal: Football quietly and playing golf?
matters are rarely “I don’t know what I’ll do. We’ve spoken
discussed at home several times as a family about how I’ll
occupy my time once my football career
is over, but it’s not something that is settled.
I always said that I don’t see myself as a
coach, I don’t have a feeling for it. In a few
years that may change, but I still have several
years left and then we’ll see. When the end is
near, something will be done.”
Defeat: after losing
to Germany in 2014 A colleague of yours once revealed that
you’re naturally quite hefty. Do you have
to focus more on physical workouts or
on your diet?
“It’s nothing special. I have taken care of my
diet for years. After training I strengthen my
legs but I’m not really one for the gym.”
Is taking an afternoon siesta still
important in your routine?
“No, not anymore. The truth is that I miss it.
When I’m with the national team, that’s the
only chance I have to take to nap. Now I
don’t have time because of the kids.”
Do you get to watch many matches?
“Yes, I like to. I still follow football a lot.”
Struggle: Qualification for Russia was tough
Do you follow any competitions or
leagues in particular?
“I watch everything in general. Obviously
the leagues in Spain, England and Argentina,
although my schedule has an impact on that.
I follow a little bit of everything.”
How do you explain the difficulties
Argentina had in qualifying for the
World Cup, and what do you have to
do to ensure you will be competitive
enough to try to win the tournament?
“It was a tough period for us. We went
through three coaches and it’s not easy
to adapt to each of them as they all have
their own footballing philosophy and ideas.
Recently it’s been Jorge Sampaoli and we
only played four qualifiers under him, plus
some friendlies, so we will continue with
that growth process. Beyond that, the
qualifiers were very tough in themselves.
Every day, football becomes more even
and it’s difficult to qualify.”
In 2014, you lost the Final to Germany.
Will Germany be the favourites again in
2018 or do you see other countries
mounting a challenge?
“Germany will be one of the favourites,
as they always are. There are other teams
that are also great candidates: Brazil, Spain,
France. They are stronger now and reach the
World Cup in good form.”
You played against Holland in the
semi-finals in Brazil. Were you surprised
that the Dutch side aren’t at the finals
this year?
“It’s a bit like what I said before with the
difficulties every team faces in qualifying,
either in South America or Europe. Today,
football is very close and any small nation
that is well organised can make life
complicated. The Netherlands are missing
out, as are Italy – teams that have
participated in World Cups for decades
and nobody expected to fail to qualify.”
WORLD CUP 2018 21
 STAR PROFILE: HARRY KANE
HOME IMPROVEMENT
Throughout his career the striker has worked hard, on and off the pitch, to improve his game
Harry Kane is living proof that hard work
pays off. Injury permitting, he will be
England’s main hope for goals in Russia
this summer in what will be the next
stage in a flourishing career that has seen
the 24-year-old striker defy his critics in
spectacular style.
As a skinny teenager in Tottenham
Hotspur’s youth ranks, many at the club
doubted he could make it as a professional.
But after knuckling down and learning his
craft on loan at lower-league clubs Leyton
Orient, Millwall, Norwich City and Leicester
City, Kane returned to Spurs and edged aside
established centre-forwards Emmanuel
Adebayor and Roberto Soldado.
Harry Redknapp was Spurs’ manager when
Kane was first sent out on loan rather than be
given a chance in the first team. “We had him
as a youngster and let him go out on loan a
few times because we thought that was what
22 WORLD CUP 2018
he needed,” recalls Redknapp. “He has turned
out really well. He’s not a ‘big-time Charlie’, he
wants to works at his game, wants to practise
and wants to be a proper player.”
Kane broke into the Tottenham first team
Clinical: Scoring at
Wembley against Slovenia
during the 2014-15 campaign, scoring 21
Premier League goals, only to be dismissed
Power: Getting as a one-season wonder. Yet he has shown
England’s fourth persistence and strength of character to
goal against Malta become the competition’s outstanding
striker for the past three seasons.
According to Tim Sherwood, the manager
who gave him his Premier League debut:
“Harry has a strong mentality and I’ll take
that attitude over ability all day. He has had to
be strong and had to fight. The fans haven’t
always sung his name. He had to earn that.”
In the calendar year of 2017, Kane scored
56 goals – more than Lionel Messi or
Cristiano Ronaldo – which sparked genuine
debate about his “world class” status and
prompted talk of a world-record transfer to
Real Madrid in the future.
Kane’s progress to the pinnacle of the world
game does not surprise former Tottenham
striker Les Ferdinand. Having observed Kane
Determination:
Kane has proved all
the doubters wrong

from close quarters as a youth coach at

Spurs, Ferdinand says: “He can go right to the
top. I would compare his football intelligence
with Teddy Sheringham and his finishing with
Alan Shearer. Like Alan, Harry has real power
in his shooting and heading.”
Ferdinand, who has watched Kane develop
into a physically imposing centre-forward,
adds: “I worked with Harry when he was a
young lad and I could see straightaway that
he was a goalscorer – left foot, right foot,
head – he could finish anyway you wanted.
“The only thing that I thought might hold
him back was his lack of pace at the time.
We used to make comparisons with Teddy,
who never had great pace but was a terrific
finisher and had real football intelligence,
which allowed him to play as a number 10 on. He has certainly done that with his speed, Auld enemy: on fitter and stronger in the last year or so and
or a number nine. and has worked to find that extra yard of pace target at Hampden it’s helped my game.”
“It is the same with Harry. I call him a nine- that he has now. Nobody could say he lacks against Scotland Kane suffered an ankle injury in March that
and-a-half because he can play up front or pace now.” sidelined him for England’s friendly matches
he can drop off, play deeper and make things Kane has benefited from extra fitness work, against Holland and Italy, but the physios are
happen. When I worked with him on the both on the training ground with the rest of confident that he will make a full recovery in
training ground, I would use Teddy as an the squad doing double training sessions time to captain England at the World Cup.
example of how he could operate. I’d say: ‘It’s and alone in the gym, beefing up his That injury has put paid to any thoughts he
not just about scoring, but creating goals too.’ physique. “I’ve done a lot of gym work, may have had of becoming the first player
“He was a very good learner, always willing especially in pre-season, and I think I’ve just since Ronaldo in 2008 to score 40 goals
to listen and do what he needed to do to developed as I’ve got older as well,” he said or more in an English top-flight season.
improve. He believed in the ability he had and last year. “My muscles have got bigger and However, even greater success may lie just
will work on the areas that need to be worked I’ve grown a bit as well. I’ve definitely got around the corner.

WORLD CUP 2018 23

 GREAT ENGLAND
WORLD CUP GOALS
Russia 2018 will be England’s 15th appearance at a World Cup
finals. Here are 10 of their best goals from previous adventures...

2
BOBBY CHARLTON defender before laying the ball into the path
July 26, 1966 of the on-running Charlton. His sweetly
London, England struck shot from the edge of the penalty
Semi-final v Portugal area flew home to put the home side two
ahead with 10 minutes remaining. Eusebio
Already leading through Charlton’s first-half later reduced the arrears from the penalty
goal, George Cohen picked out the run of spot, but England held on to book their
Geoff Hurst, who held off a Portuguese place in the Final.

1
BOBBY CHARLTON
July 16, 1966
London, England
Group A v Mexico

Having drawn 0-0 with Uruguay in the

opening game of the tournament, nerves
were beginning to show in the hosts’ second
outing, against Mexico, until Charlton picked
up the ball on the halfway line. Running
beyond opposition midfielders and swerving
away from retreating defenders, he
unleashed a shot that gave keeper Ignacio
Calderon no chance and put England on
their way to a 2-0 win.

3
GEOFF HURST
July 30, 1966
London, England
Final v West Germany

With England leading 3-2 and only seconds

left on the clock, captain Bobby Moore, deep
inside his own half, played a 60-yard pass
to the feet of the unmarked Hurst. West
Germany had just one defender back as
Hurst ploughed forward, with Wolfgang
Overath giving chase to no avail. As some
England fans ran onto the pitch, Hurst let
fly, thumping the ball into the top corner with
his left foot, and the World Cup belonged to
England. This passage of play will always be
remembered for Kenneth Wolstenholme’s
famous television commentary: “Some
people are on the pitch. They think it’s
all over...it is now.”
24 WORLD CUP 2018
 GREAT ENGLAND WORLD CUP GOALS

4
BRYAN ROBSON
June 16, 1982
Bilbao, Spain
Group D v France

England kicked off their opening match of

the tournament and immediately sent the
ball out to Steve Coppell on the right wing.
France left-back Maxime Bossis gave away
a throw-in, which Coppell launched into the
French penalty area. Terry Butcher flicked
it on with his head and Robson, who was
unmarked in front of goal, put the ball in
the back of the net with just 27 seconds
played. England went on to win 3-1.

5
GARY LINEKER tournament exit – and within 15 minutes the
June 11, 1986 pair had combined to give England a 2-0
Monterrey, Mexico lead. The second goal came when Beardsley
Group F v Poland flicked on Kenny Sansom’s pass to Steve
Hodge, who crossed for Lineker to finish from
With Lineker and Peter Beardsley playing the edge of the six-yard area. Lineker went
together for the first time in the tournament, on to complete his hat-trick as England won
England needed to win to avoid an early 3-0 and progressed to the knockout stage.

WORLD CUP 2018 25

 6 7
DAVID PLATT
June 26, 1990
Bologna, Italy
Second round v Belgium
England rode their luck against a Belgium
side inspired by Enzo Scifo, but substitute
Platt settled matters in the last minute of
extra-time. With a penalty shoot-out
looming, England were awarded a free-kick
50 yards from goal. Paul Gascoigne floated
the ball over the Belgian defence and Platt,
peeling away from his marker, let it drop
over his shoulder before volleying into the
far corner to secure England a 1-0 victory
and a quarter-final spot against Cameroon.
DAVID BECKHAM
June 26, 1998
Lens, France
Group G v Colombia
Whoever lost in the Stade Felix-Bollaert
would be going home – and England were in
the driving seat after Darren Anderton’s early
goal. Then, approaching the half-hour mark,
they were awarded a free-kick 35 yards from
goal, and Beckham stepped up to curl a shot
over the wall and beyond the despairing dive
of goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon, securing a
2-0 win for Glenn Hoddle’s team.

26 WORLD CUP 2018

 GREAT ENGLAND WORLD CUP GOALS

8
MICHAEL OWEN
June 30, 1998
Saint-Etienne, France
Second round v Argentina

With the teams level at 1-1, after each

had scored a penalty in the opening 10
minutes, Paul Ince won the ball just in
front of England’s penalty area and fed
David Beckham, who looked up and clipped

a pass into the path of Owen, who was just
inside the Argentinian half. Accelerating
in breathtaking fashion, he held off Jose
Chamot before body-swerving past Roberto
Ayala and hitting an unstoppable shot
across the goalkeeper, Carlos Roa. Argentina,
however, would later equalise before going
on to win on penalties.
9
STEVEN GERRARD
June 15, 2006
Nuremberg, Germany
Group B v Trinidad & Tobago
England made hard work of beating World
Cup debutants Trinidad & Tobago in their
second group match. An 83rd-minute goal
from Peter Crouch eventually broke the
deadlock before, in the final minute, Gerrard
received a short pass from David Beckham
just inside the right touchline. He proceeded
to wrong-foot Aurtis Whitley before making
space to hit a powerful left-foot shot into the
far top corner that gave goalkeeper Shaka
Hislop no chance.

10
JOE COLE
June 20, 2006
Cologne, Germany
Group B v Sweden

Having already qualified for the knockout

stage, this 2-2 draw guaranteed England
would avoid hosts Germany in the next
stage. The opening goal came when
Sweden could only clear Peter Crouch’s
header as far as Cole, who controlled the
bouncing ball on his chest and hit a first-
time dipping volley from 30 yards.

WORLD CUP 2018 27

 STAR PROFILE: NEYMAR
SIX APPEAL
The world’s most expensive player is hoping to lead Brazil to a record sixth World Cup
A World Cup without Brazil’s biggest
star, Neymar Da Silva Santos Junior, is
unthinkable. However, the world’s most
expensive footballer faces a race against
time to be fit in for Brazil’s first game,
against Switzerland in Rostov on June
17, after he injured his foot playing for
Paris Saint-Germain against Marseille
in February.
Without Neymar, PSG crashed out of
the Champions League to Real Madrid,
outplayed by Cristiano Ronaldo and co.
Without Neymar, Brazil are also a different
team. Four years ago the Selecao were
humiliated in the World Cup semi-final in
front of a home crowd in Belo Horizonte,
thrashed 7-1 by eventual champions
Germany. Neymar, of course, did not play
in that fateful game as he had been injured
in the quarter-final against Colombia. After
being kneed in the back by Colombia’s Juan
Zuniga he left the pitch on a stretcher having
broken a bone in his spine.
Since then, Neymar has experienced
extreme highs and lows with the national
side. He was sent off as Brazil crashed out
of the 2015 Copa America, but a year later
he led his country to Olympic glory in Rio,
scoring the winning penalty in the Final
shoot-out against Germany as Brazil won
their first Olympic title.
“The Olympic gold in Rio was the most
important win in my career,“ he said.
Brazil coach Tite is in no doubt about
Neymar’s importance to the national
Painful: Neymar is
stretchered off in
the 2014 semi-finals
28 WORLD CUP 2018
side. “Neymar is irreplaceable,” he says.
“He is a different player. He is one of the
top three in the world. But a strong team
should not depend on specific names.”
Neymar’s talent is undeniable. World
Soccer picked him out in 2009 as the
revelation of the Brazilian championship
when he was just 17, and over the last nine
years he has conjured up some breathtaking
moments.
In 2011 he carried Santos to their first
Libertadores Cup triumph since the heyday
of Pele in 1963.
At Barcelona he enjoyed Champions
League success in 2015, scoring in the Final
against Juventus in Berlin.
Last summer he became the most
expensive football player of all time when
PSG paid €222million to sign him from
Barcelona.
Although he has the capacity to improvise
at pace and glide past his marker on either
side, Neymar is more than just a dribbler –
he can pass as well. His right-footed crosses,
curled in from the left towards the far post,
set up reams of chances. And, crucially, he is
a natural finisher, remaining calm, precise
and direct in front of goal.
Seven years ago, when the teenage
Neymar was the star of the Santos side and Big money: With capacity for improvisation. He makes
he had been voted the South American PSG president defenders suffer because they don’t
player of the year, his coach Muricy Ramalho Nasser Al Khelaifi know which side he’s going to dribble.
was insistent in claiming that Neymar was He has everything to tip the balance
“the best player I have ever worked with”. in Brazil’s favour.”
Ramalho added: “He has an incredible Neymar’s reputation in Brazil has been
boosted by an economic boom that has
bankrolled a multitude of commercial
sponsorship tie-ups, with companies
queuing up to be associated with him.
“He has a rebellious profile, relevant to
attracting adolescents,” said former
Barcelona marketing director Esteve
Calzada. “He is natural and down to earth,
giving him a sympathetic air.
“Quite simply, he has it all.”
But his advertising commitments and
appearances on the celebrity circuit lay him
open to accusations of becoming a tropical
David Beckham – someone who is more
famous for his iconic status than his football.
“There is a lot of responsibility on his
shoulders, but he seems more concerned
with changing his hairstyle,” said Pele.
At PSG there has been reported friction
with Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani, while
team-mate Adrien Rabiot complained that
Neymar and PSG’s other big-money signing,
Kylian Mbappe, have received “privileges”
with the squad.
Assuming he regains his fitness, Neymar
has a chance to put all the off-field fuss
behind him and confirm his status as one of
the all-time greats by leading the Selecao to
a record sixth World Cup.
The whole of Brazil will be willing him on.
 STAR INTERVIEW: CRISTIANO RONALDO

WINNER TAKES ALL

Portugal’s captain needs the World Cup to complete his haul of trophies

You won all the individual awards

last year: World Soccer’s World Player,
the Ballon d’Or, UEFA’s Best Player. Is
it unfair that your team-mates don’t
get the credit? Or do you think: “I’m
the striker, I score the goals that win
the games, that win the trophies, and
I deserve the awards...”
Well, I don’t know if the word “unfair” is the
proper word. When you go to the stadium,
what do you want to see?

We want to see goals…

Right, you like to see goals. It’s always a
challenge for us. We have to score goals.
We have the skills, we make assists, we
have to make entertainment for the fans.
This is what we try to do. Maybe, sometimes,
defenders can win the awards, but when
the strikers score the goals, when they make
people happy, they win important trophies. I
have to defend my position, so please keep
voting for me!

You won your first personal award back

in 2008. How has the game changed
since then?
It’s kind of the same. The speed is kind
of the same, in my opinion. Not a lot has
changed in the game, but outside the game
a lot has changed – it’s crazy...the money,
everything. You know, I’m happy that I can
still keep winning. It means I’m young
enough and hungry enough to carry
on winning trophies.
The only trophy that you have not yet
won is the World Cup. Is that now the
most important trophy for you to win?
Two years ago we talked about the
Portuguese national team – that after
Germany and Spain, we had a chance
of winning the Euros. And then we
won the Euros. Now we’re talking
about the World Cup – but we have
to keep our feet on the ground and
be humble about the World Cup.
Take it step by step, that’s what I
always say. Since I made my debut
for the national team my dream was
always to win something with the
national team and I did that. I’m
so proud that we won a trophy for
the first time in Portugal’s history.
I always say: “Feet on the ground
but the dream continues.”
And can Portugal win in Russia?
Of course it’s possible – everything
in football is possible. It will be
tough, we have pressure now for the
World Cup. I’m comfortable with my
Proud: Lifting team-mates, our country support us, they Seriously, though, have you thought
Portugal’s first- are smart enough to know what Portugal about becoming a coach some day?
ever trophy can do. If you ask me if it’s possible, of It’s not something that I think a lot about.
course it’s possible. If you ask me right now, I don’t what to be
a football coach. After a few years, people
How did winning the 2016 European might say you have the profile to be a coach,
Championship with Portugal compare but I don’t want to, it’s too complicated. Right
to winning with a club team? now I just want to focus on football. This is
It was the first time; it’s always special when my passion, this is what I love to do. But in
you win something for the first time. I’ve won the future, nobody knows. Maybe in five, six,
Ambitious: At 33, the Champions League four times but my 10 years, I will change my mind and I will be
he still wants to dream was always to win something for an amazing coach! Let’s see.
win more trophies Portugal, with the national team, and that’s
what we did. We won for the first
time and the feeling is completely
different. I was very emotional.
I was thinking about my team-
mates, my family – my whole
family because we were all born
in Portugal. So the feeling was a
little bit crazy. I cried a lot. Sad
moments, emotional moments,
happy moments – it all happened
in the same day. So it was an
unbelievable achievement,
it was a special day.
During the Euro Final against
France you were injured but
you seemed like an assistant
coach to Fernando Santos on
the touchline…
Don’t joke, that’s my future [laughs].

30 WORLD CUP 2018

Along with Lionel Messi, you have been
at the top of the world game for the
past decade. Which players from the
next generation can be as successful?
A very, very good question. In my opinion
you have a few who have the potential. For
the last 10 years it has been me and Messi,
Messi and me. For the next generation, I
see potential with a player from Real Madrid,
Asensio. Then there’s Neymar, Mbappe.
The player who was with Borussia [now
Barcelona] Dembele. And Hazard and
Rashford. I can say there’s 10, maybe
15 players, with huge potential to become
the best in Europe.

How do you keep motivating yourself?

For me, every season is a challenge. Many
people ask me how I’m going to motivate
myself to win more things because you’ve
won everything. But football is my passion
and I’m still able to make the fans happy.
People love to see me, so I try to do my best.
I try to score goals, to help my team win
trophies, individually and collectively. Every
year is a challenge. This year will be the
same as the last 10 years. To score goals
at a high level, maintain my performance,
that’s what I try to do.

Help: On the touchline

with Fernando Santos

WORLD CUP 2018 31

 WORLD CUP HEROES
The game’s biggest names talk about their greatest World Cup achievements
19 7 0 H E R O
PELE
“WE WERE
JUST TOO
GOOD”
Edison Arantes do Nascimento – or Pele
– played in four World Cups, winning the
famous trophy three times. Blessed with
a game devoid of any weaknesses, he is
widely regarded as the greatest
footballer of all time.
Central to this legendary status is the 1970
World Cup, the first to be broadcast in colour.
Pele and his Brazilian team-mates produced
near-perfect performances, littered with
moments of individual genius, allied to an
team ethic that swept all before them.
The Final against Italy saw a thrilling
encounter – and Pele was at the heart
of it. He opened the scoring with a header,
assisted for the third and, in a move that
included eight outfield players, provided the
ball for Carlos Alberto to secure a 4-1 victory.
The Jules Rimet Trophy was now Brazil’s to
keep and Pele – in his final World Cup – saw
his legend guaranteed. Italy defender Tarcisio
Burgnich, who had tried to mark him during
the Final, said: “I told myself before the
game: ‘He’s made of skin and bones just
like everyone else.’ But I was wrong.”
IN PELE’S OWN WORDS
“I was injured in 1966 and I thought I would
not play in the World Cup again. But later on
I started thinking I would have the chance to
show to myself, to Brazil, and to the world
one more time – this will be the moment, my
opportunity to be the best in the game. So,
Intense: Lifting the
Jules Rimet Trophy
32 WORLD CUP 2018
I started to prepare myself psychologically
and physically. I think this was the principle
reason why I became the one I was in 1970.”
ON HIS SHOT FROM THE HALF-WAY LINE
AGAINST CZECHOSLOVAKIA
“It was a long-range effort – a little piece of
audacity which would have been all the more
beautiful if the damn ball had gone in! I had
noticed earlier that the Czech goalkeeper
tended to drift off his line so I took my shot
from 65 yards out. Journalists after the
match asked me if I made this effort just to
prove I wasn’t short-sighted. It was nothing
to do with that! Even though it didn’t go in, it
galvanized the team and from then on it was
all Brazil.”
ON BRAZIL’S MATCH AGAINST ENGLAND
“They had a very good team and, in Bobby
Moore, Bobby Charlton and Gordon Banks,
Header Opening the three players who would have walked into
scoring in the Final pretty much any Brazil side. We respected
the English greatly but I did not fear them.
“We knew their defence would take some
breaching and so it proved, especially with
Banks’ save. It was phenomenal, the save
of this and any other tournament. Eventually
we got to 1-0 through a lovely team goal.”
ON THE FINAL AGAINST ITALY
“The side that would go on to be called the
‘beautiful team’, the best that ever played the
game, was through to the World Cup Final to
play Italy. The implacable force would meet
the immovable object.
“We were favourites, but 100,000 people
in the Azteca Stadium and a TV audience of
one billion were fascinated to see how it
would turn out. Italy sat back and tried to
soak up the pressure but we created too
much. Too many of us were on form that day,
me included – it was one of my best games
in a Brazil shirt. We deserved the win and our
last goal, with so many players involved,
showed perfectly what we were about.”
ON WINNING THE WORLD CUP
“At the final whistle there was pandemonium.
People ran on to the pitch and in seconds
our shirts and even our shorts had been
whisked off by souvenir hunters. I was hoisted
aloft on a sea of fans and it was several
minutes before I was able to get to the
dressing room to collect myself.
“I managed a quiet moment in the shower
to give thanks to God and to my family for
what I had achieved. We then went back on
to the pitch to collect the Jules Rimet Trophy.
“The intensity of the emotion as Carlos
Alberto lifted it was like nothing I had ever
Legend In London known. I just knew what it would mean to
in 2016 the people back home.”
 Brazil 1970:
Simply the best

WORLD CUP 2018 33

 WORLD CUP HEROES
19 6 6 H E R O
GEOFF HURST
“IT LOOKS
LIKE THE BALL
DIDN’T CROSS
THE LINE”
For the Final there were 93,000 fans
at Wembley Stadium and an estimated
400million people tuned in on TV.
England 4 West Germany 2 provided
goals galore, a long with drama, controversy
and a singular World Cup hero – Geoff Hurst,
an unassuming player who had scored just
once for his country before the finals and
only made the starting XI due to a quirk of
fate. Star striker Jimmy Greaves was injured
in the third group game, against France, and
Hurst took his place, scoring the winner
against Argentina in the quarter-finals.
Despite Greaves’ return to fitness, Hurst
would keep his place right up to the Final
34 WORLD CUP 2018
and become a national icon in the process.
The Germans took the lead through
Helmut Haller after 16 minutes, but England
struck back with a header from Hurst. Martin
Peters gave England the lead in the second
half, but an 89th-minute Wolfgang Weber
equaliser saw the match go into extra-time.
In the first period Hurst grabbed his
second goal. His turn and shot saw the
ball bounce down off the underside of the
crossbar, land on or over the line and cleared
away for a corner.
Swiss ref Gottfried Dienst was uncertain if
it had crossed the line and consulted
linesman Tofik Bakhramov of the Soviet
Union before awarding the goal.
Finally, with the last kick of the
game, Hurst broke forward, latching onto
Bobby Moore’s long pass. As spectators
streamed on to the pitch thinking the final
whistle had sounded, Hurst unleashed an
unstoppable drive to achieve an incredible
hat-trick and seal the World Cup for England.
IN HURST’S OWN WORDS
“Alf Ramsey [the manager] had assembled a
great bunch of players in terms of ability but
he also brought together lots of hard-nosed
professionals. In all honesty we never really
felt that we were going to be beaten.
Heroes Hurst (left) “It showed itself at the end of normal time,
lifts his captain, when the Germans equalised, because a lot
Bobby Moore of normal teams would have buckled under
the pressure. We didn’t. Alf’s great words
were: ‘You’ve beaten them already, just go
out and beat them again.’ And that’s what
we did. We were much the stronger team
in extra-time.
“Everyone talks about my second goal.
We understood the frustration felt by the
Germans. They believed they had been
robbed of the most prestigious prize in
world football. Perhaps they were.

Controversial: Hurst (on ground)
watches his shot hit the bar
Reunited With the ball from the Final
“Having listened to all the arguments
over the decades and watched the
replay hundreds of times on TV, I have
to admit that it looks as though the ball
didn’t cross the line.
“My abiding memory at the final
whistle was a sense of relief. Being
in the squad was a relief, being in the
team was a relief, and then having
scored the goals in the Final and to
hear the whistle was an amazing sense
of relief.
“It was all a bit of a blur afterwards.
But on the Monday afterwards I was
back home cutting the lawn and
cleaning the car. It was back to earth
with a bump!”
JOHAN CRUYFF
“WE WERE MORE FAMOUS
FOR LOSING”
One instance of brilliance by Dutch star
Johan Cruyff in Germany at the 1974
World Cup made everyone lucky enough
to witness it truly believe that the future
was indeed orange.
Holland’s group game against Sweden
will be forever remembered for Cruyff’s turn.
Faking to cross with his right foot, Cruyff
instead dragged the ball behind, turned 180
degrees and accelerated away from the
utterly confounded full-back, Jan Olsson.
The “Cruyff turn” had reached a worldwide
audience; moreover, Holland’s much-vaunted
“Total Football” was indeed the real deal.
It was a fluid style of play that captivated
the tournament and Cruyff was the catalyst
for much of the team’s scintillating football.
All 15 of their goals in the tournament either
started or ended with the captain.
Ultimately, Holland would lose 2-1 to
Germany in the Final – a result that would
earn them the title of the “best team never
to have won the World Cup”. As for Cruyff,
he was named the tournament’s best player.
Penalty: brought down by
Uli Hoeness in the Final
19 74 H E R O
CRUYFF, SPEAKING IN 2010
“I am surprised that team is still regarded so
highly. The World Cup in 1974 made Dutch
football famous – and we lost! So losing the
Final, is it so bad? We were more famous
than ever for losing because everyone said
we should have won.
“Winning isn’t everything, it’s how you
play. If you win 10 games and lose the 11th,
Brilliant The Dutch so what? It doesn’t bother me that I never
legend passed away in became world champion. We made a great
2016, aged 68 achievement.
“‘Total Football’ is to do with your way of
thinking, character – everything is involved.
The difference of what you do with your feet
is to do with your head. The Dutch team
at that time was made up mostly from Ajax
players. We could change position easily, and
that’s “Total Football”...the first defender was
the centre-forward, which was me.
“We had a change of mentality on the
Leader All 15 Holland
field, where we thought we could achieve
goals in 1974 either
started or ended with anything. Football is about having the best
their skipper offensive play possible. I always like to play
offensive football and nobody will convince
me otherwise.
“I always greatly admired [coach] Rinus
Michels’ leadership. He was always very clear
in what he wanted, what he expected from
you, and sometimes in order to achieve that
he overdid it a bit. Then when things started
working, he would ease up and give you
more freedom.
“As a player and as a coach there is
nobody who taught me as much as him. He
put the Netherlands on the map in such a
way that almost everybody still benefits from
it. With him, as well as with me, results may
have come first, but quality of soccer was
number one. Just winning is not enough.”
WORLD CUP 2018 35
 WORLD CUP HEROES
DIEGO MARADONA
“THE REFEREE TOOK THE BAIT”
The quarter-final between Argentina and
England in Mexico already had an added
edge, coming just four years after the
Falklands conflict. But the events at the
Estadio Azteca would elevate this match
to one of the most controversial seen at
an international tournament.
Argentina won 2-1 courtesy of two goals
from Diego Maradona: the first a notorious
hand ball, the second a glorious effort that
would later be voted FIFA’s Goal of the
Century. Argentina would go on to win the
World Cup, while England could only rue
both the deception and genius of the little
South American.
Afterwards he described his infamous first
goal as “a bit with the head of Maradona and
another bit with the hand of God”.
IN MARADONA’S OWN WORDS
“It seems to me that everyone was talking
about the Falklands but we just wanted to
play a football game. You’re not going to
resolve anything by thinking about anything
other than winning – winning that game
against England.
“Yes, it was my hand. This I have to admit.
With this I don’t mean any disrespect for
English fans. It was just the way things
happened. I had scored many goals before
in Argentina this way. I couldn’t reach the
ball, Shilton was already there but I couldn’t
get my head on it, so I went with my hand.
“The ball went in the net and as I was
running away I could see that Shilton hadn’t
realised what I’d done. It was the defender
Terry Butcher who told him – and then the
complaints began.
“When I saw the linesman running [back
to the half-way line] I started shouting ‘goal,
goal’. I looked to see if the referee took the
Hand ball: Keeper
Peter Shilton is beaten
36 WORLD CUP 2018
19 8 6 H E R O
Glorious Scoring the bait – and he had! That was it.
second Argentina goal “I was waiting for my team-mates to
embrace me and no one came. I told them,
‘come on, come on, hug me, let’s do it
properly, let’s go the whole way so the
goal is allowed’. Thank God it was.
“I don’t think it’s cheating, it’s cunning. Is
it cheating to handle the ball? Oh no, no, no.
It’s not cheating. It’s a craftiness. Maybe we
have a lot more of it in South America than
in Europe, but it’s not cheating.
“I said it was the hand of God because
God gives us the hand. And because it’s very
difficult for it not to be seen by two people,
the referee and the linesman.
“The second goal was a dream. Footballers
always dream of scoring the best goal in
history, we dream it and we have it in our
heads. To score that goal, for me, was
fantastic, and in the World Cup, incredible.
“It was an amazing game and one people
always talk to me about. I suppose if I could
apologise and go back and change history I
would. But the goal is still a goal, Argentina
became world champions and I was the best
Owning up In 2017 player in the world. This is the reality.” 2002 HERO
RONALDO
“THE BEST
TEAM I EVER
PLAYED IN”
Brazil went to the 1998 World Cup
as keen favourites, but lost in the
Final to hosts France after star
striker Ronaldo suffered a
convulsive fit the night before the
game and played well below par.
Four years later, he was back.
In Japan and South Korea,
he was not only motivated by the
disappointment of France but also
keen to re-establish himself as the
foremost goal-getter on the planet.
The previous three years had been
spent recovering from a serious knee injury,
which not only resulted in three operations
and painful rehabilitation but also led many
to question whether he could recover the
form that had made him a double World
Player of the Year.
They needn’t have worried. Ronaldo
scored six goals on the way to the Final,
registering against every opponent in the
tournament, bar a nail-biting quarter-final
against England.
The Final against Germany at the
International Stadium in Yokohama provided
the perfect redemption. Two unanswered
Ronaldo goals cemented Brazil’s fifth World
Cup win, making them the most successful
team in the competition’s history.
On a personal note, Ronaldo’s brace gave
him the Golden Boot and tied Pele’s Brazilian
record of 12 career World Cup goals – a
record he would break four years later.
IN RONALDO’S OWN WORDS
“I had endured a lot of difficulties with
my knee injury and several operations.
I remembered lying on my hospital bed,
Opener Scoring when blood was pouring
against Germany from my knee, and tried
(above) and
to take strength from that.
celebrating (inset)
“My family,
physiotherapists and
doctors all encouraged me
to persevere – and it was
worth it. The birth of my
son, Ronald, also gave me
extra strength to endure
the endless torture.
“I have very strong willpower. And my feeling actually to hold it in my hands and
passion for football is insatiable. No effort is kiss it.
too great for me for this sport. I can suffer “We had a great team, the best I ever
anything as long as I can play football again. played in. Rivaldo, Ronaldinho, Roberto
I not only play football, I breathe football. Carlos, Cafu, me – it was a team where we
“The goal was always to return as good as could find a goal in every minute in every
I ever was; to be the best striker in the world. way, and win every game. That’s why we won
Also to banish the memories of the Final four all seven games and that’s why we were
years ago. world champions.
“I thought about winning the World Cup “People ask me about my favourite career
every day during the weeks and months goals but I can only pick two. My choice is
before the tournament. Every minute I used simple: the two goals I scored during this
to visualise the trophy in front of my eyes and Final. Not only because they were good but
In Zurich At the FIFA imagine what a wonderful feeling it must be especially for the value they had. It’s not
awards last year to hold it up in the air. It was a fabulous every day you win the World Cup.”
WORLD CUP 2018 37
 WORLD CUP HEROES
19 74 H E R O
FRANZ
BECKENBAUER
“THE DUTCH
JUST GOT
NERVOUS”
With a career of true greatness – this
was a player so good that he re-invented
a footballing position – the sight of
Franz Beckenbauer lifting the 1974
World Cup in his home city of Munich
seemed like a destiny fulfilled.
Until “Der Kaiser”, sweepers were simply
an added layer of defence, a tactic employed
to ensure a clean sheet rather than as a
counter-attacking option. Beckenbauer,
however, was the puppet master, standing
back and pulling the strings.
The obstacle for the major prize in 1974
38 WORLD CUP 2018
Calm: keeping cool as
Johann Cruyff protests
were Holland and their own particular
brand of “Total Football”. The meeting was
billed as the organisational and anticipatory
brilliance of Beckenbauer versus the
instinctive and artistic genius of Dutch
playmaker Johan Cruyff.
In the Final, Holland attacked from kick-off
and Cruyff was fouled in the penalty area
without West Germany even touching the
ball. Johan Neeskens scored the spot-kick.
But, inspired by the constant probing of an
inspirational Beckenbauer, the Germans
fought back. They won a penalty of their
own, which Paul Breitner slotted home, and
two minutes before half-time Gerd Muller
scored the decider.
At the time, this gave West Germany the
distinction of being the only national team to
hold both the European and World Cup titles
simultaneously.
Meanwhile, Beckenbauer, a genuine leader
of men, became the first captain to lift the
brand new World Cup trophy.
IN BECKENBAUER’S OWN WORDS
“You are always under pressure in the finals,
but if you are the host team you feel it twice
as much because everyone expects you to
win. Also, in 1974, sport had become an
entirely different world after the attacks
on the Munich Olympics in 1972.
“From that time on the players were not
as free as they had been before. That was
definitely a stress factor.
“Initially we were lax in our approach and
the result was defeat to East Germany. That
woke us up and we finally started to work
Coach He would win together as a team.
again in 1990 “There were also many arguments about

Der Kaizer: holding
aloft the trophy
the East Germany match and, of
course, about bonuses. There were
a lot of unpleasant scenes which I
hadn’t experienced in my two previous
World Cups.
“As regards the Final, after Muller
made it 2-1, I was relatively certain
we would protect our lead.
“Perhaps it was a good thing
Holland took the lead in the first
minute, perhaps they weren’t as
focused for the rest of the match as
they had been before. That gave us a
chance to come back into the match.
“It was a great psychological
advantage for us to take the lead. Then
Johan Cruyff was shown a yellow card
for dissent. Those were all signs that
made me think the Dutch were getting
nervous and that we’d survive the
second half.
“Paul Breitner reckons the Dutch
became arrogant after scoring the first
goal and fell victim to overconfidence.
I’m not sure. After taking that early lead
they may have thought things were
going to plan and that it was their day.
They weren’t as determined after that.”
2 014 H E R O
MARIO GOTZE
“SOMEHOW THE BALL
WAS IN THE NET”
Few people thought Mario
Super sub:
Gotze would end up being Low had
the hero of Germany’s confidence
2014 Final triumph in Gotze
over Argentina in Rio de
Janeiro’s Maracana stadium.
But the striker seized his
moment after being handed
the opportunity as a late
sub by coach Joachim Low.
Low explained: “I said to
Gotze: ‘OK, show the world
you are better than Messi and
can decide the World Cup.’
“I told him that. I always had
a good feeling about Gotze.
Argentina were becoming
more and more tired, but we
had players who could make
a difference.
“Gotze is a miracle boy, a
boy wonder. He can play any
position up front. I know he’s
always able to decide a match,
and it was a great winner he scored. But
in extra time we had the energy to move
forward. We didn’t want to go to penalties.
We wanted the game decided before then
and we put them under more pressure.”
Gotze had begun the tournament in
Germany’s starting line-up. He started his
team’s first four matches, but was replaced
at half-time in the round of 16 match against
Algeria. But he always remained a firm fixture
in Low’s plans, able to slot into a variety of
positions on the pitch. And when it mattered
most in the Final it was not Miroslav Klose,
the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer, or
Thomas Muller, who took his tournament
goal tally to 10 after adding
to the five he hit at South
Africa 2010, but Gotze
who struck the winner
as Germany became
the first European team
to win a World Cup in
South America.
IN GOTZE’S OWN WORDS
“It’s an unbelievable feeling.
You score the goal and you
don’t really know what’s
happening.
“It hadn’t been a simple
tournament, or year, for me
and I owe a lot to my family
and my girlfriend who
always believed in me.
“But a dream became
reality here.”
“Andre [Schurrle] put in
a superb ball and I was able
to control it on my chest.
Then somehow the ball was in the net.”
“You don’t really think very much when
you’re in a situation like that. Everything
happened so quickly but it was great to see
how much of a release it gave the team and
how we still fought right until the very end.
“We thoroughly deserved to win it because
we’re a great side. It’s an indescribable
moment. It’s difficult to put it into words.
I can’t describe what it’s like.
“I think we played well as a team
throughout the whole tournament and
every one of us deserves this.
Winner History made “It’s a great feeling for everyone in
in South America Germany and for us as a team.”
WORLD CUP 2018 39
STAR PROFILE: ANTOINE GRIEZMANN
GRIEZ IS
THE WORD
Is France’s leading player on the cusp of greatness?
On Antoine Griezmann’s forearm there
is a tattoo in Arabic. It is a quote from
a famous French writer who shares his
first name with the Atletico Madrid and
France striker.
Author of The Little Prince, Antoine De
Saint-Exupery effortlessly captures life’s
awesome wonder, and it is because of him
that Griezmann decided to ink himself with
the line “Fais de ta vie un rêve, et fais de ton
rêve une réalité”, which means “make your
life a dream, and make your dream a reality”.
If that has been Griezmann’s mantra, then
so far so good. At 27, most of his dreams
have already come true. A leading light in
French national coach Didier Deschamps’
squad and a hero in his adopted homeland
of Spain, his talent is no longer a secret.
“He always knows how to hurt the
opposition,” says Diego Simeone, his coach
at Atletico – and the animated Argentinian is
not kidding. In front of goal, Griezmann has
the kind of ice in his veins that others can
only dream of and he is a player who never
needs asking twice to set the net bulging.
Griezmann is no physical, bullying
presence smashing his way onto the
goalscoring leader board, though. He relies
on pace, all-round athleticism and the
audacity to try his luck from anywhere. “I try
to play between the lines, to get on the front
foot and attack defenders like Messi,” he
Defeat: France
were runners-up
at Euro 2016
40 WORLD CUP 2018
says.
Two years ago at Euro 2016, Griezmann
emerged as the host nation’s leading talent,
finishing as the tournament’s top scorer with
six goals as Les Blues were edged out in the
Final by Portugal. But the defeat was not the
first setback for Griezmann, coming as it did
just weeks after Atletico lost the Champions
League Final to city rivals Real Madrid.
Cristiano Ronaldo recalled how he bumped
into Griezmann a few weeks after the Euro
Final – and the Frenchman would not let the
defeat lie. “The funny thing was, on vacation
in Miami I came across Griezmann in a
restaurant,” Ronaldo recalls. “He was with
his fiancée. He came up to my table and
said to me with a smile: ‘I hate you!’”
Griezmann agreed a bumper contract with
Atletico last summer with an initial buyout
clause set at €200million for the duration
of the summer 2017 transfer window. That
deterred would-be buyers – including Real
Madrid and Manchester United – but the
figure has now dropped to €100m.
The rumour in Spain is that Griezmann has
all but signed for Barcelona for next season,
with the player said to be determined that
his future is resolved before he goes to
Russia for the World Cup.
The list of strikers sold for substantial
sums by Atletico is a long and distinguished
one. In recent seasons, the sales of
Decision: He wants Fernando Torres, Sergio Aguero, Radamel
his club future Falcao, Mario Mandzukic and Diego Costa
sorted before the have all boosted club coffers. Further back,
World Cup starts
Hugo Sanchez, Christian Vieri and Jimmy-
Floyd Hasselbaink moved on, leaving the
club better off – financially, at least.
So, in many ways, Griezmann’s departure is
inevitable. And the player himself has done
little to dampen the speculation, saying: “If
I have to move, it’s not a problem. It can be
England, because it’s the trend, Germany,
China or USA. I’m ready to go.
“I want to win titles. I’ve reached a point
where playing nice football and scoring
goals isn’t enough anymore. That’s it.
“Winning titles is what I’m looking for
this summer, when deciding my future.”
Griezmann is no stranger to change and
upheaval. It was at the age of 13 that his luck
finally turned when he was spotted by Real
Sociedad playing in a tournament in Paris.
Although he was wearing the colours of
Montpellier that day, the Basque club’s
scouts were impressed enough by what they
saw and offered the teenager a two-week
trial, before deciding to take a chance on
him and start him out on the road to a
professional career.
Sociedad hail from San Sebastian, a city of
186,000 inhabitants that hugs the French
border up in the north east of Spain. Aware
that Griezmann was still young, and that
his home town of Macon was situated in
the east of France, over 500 miles away,
the club placed him in a French school just
over the border in Bayonne to help him
acclimatise to such a big change in life.
But at the start of the 2007-08 season,
and after two years of hard work from the
youngster, Sociedad decided Griezmann
was ready to make the step up to the cub’s
reserve team. He went on to perform well
enough over two campaigns in the Spanish
third tier to be awarded his first professional
contract at the age of 18.
 MANAGER PROFILE: GARETH SOUTHGATE
ONE OF
OUR OWN
The England boss has defied the critics throughout
his career as a player and a manager
You write Gareth Southgate off at
your peril. Throughout his career as
a player – for Crystal Palace, Aston
Villa and Middlesbrough – and a manager
– for Middlesbrough and now England –
Southgate’s strength of character has
shone through as he has defied the
critics who have dismissed his chances
of success.
As a trainee at Palace, in a team of strong
personalities, Southgate quickly rose to be
captain at the age of 22. At Euro 96 he
stepped up to take the fateful penalty in
the semi-finals against Germany while other,
better-known players backed out. And when
promoted from England under-21 boss to
the top job, he was dismissed as a company
“yes man” before demonstrating his own
leadership skills.
“Nothing’s ever been given to him,” says
Alan Smith, his first manager at Palace. Smith
met Southgate on that first day and has been
a mentor and advisor for more than 30 years.
“Whatever he’s got, he’s worked hard to get
it, from his first game at Palace to England.
People won’t believe it because of his middle-
class background, but in football he had a
really hard upbringing.
“Palace in the late 1980s, we were pretty
close to Wimbledon as being the bad guys.”
Smith continues: “You don’t captain three
top clubs, win that many caps and not have
a lot about you. I’m really chuffed people are
42 WORLD CUP 2018
Teamwork
Ahead of a
friendly in France
seeing the bloke I always thought he was. I’m
fed up with telling people he’s not as nice as
they think!”
Southgate learned the hard way at Palace
where, as a skinny kid from Crawley in Sussex,
he realised he needed to quickly toughen up
or he would not make it.
He recently told the Coaches’ Voice
website: “As a young player, it wasn’t easy
to break into that team. I spent three or four
seasons in the reserves, playing more than
Success Captain of 100 games, which I think was a record.
Division One winners “At that time, more senior players would
Crystal Palace
get games in the reserves if they were out
of the first team.
“I remember playing against people like
Ossie Ardiles and Charlie Nicholas. Those
experiences taught me a lot because as
a young player you don’t only learn from
coaches – you also learn from the games
you play in, and from playing against and
alongside senior players who can talk you
through things while you’re playing.
“But even those experiences weren’t
enough to prepare me for the moment
I finally broke into Palace’s first team. That
dressing room was a bearpit.
“You had guys who’d come through our
youth system, like John Salako and Chris
Powell. Guys who’d come from non league,
like Stan Collymore, Ian Wright and Steve
Claridge. And guys like Geoff Thomas, Alan
Pardew and Chris Coleman who had come
from lower divisions.
“So everybody was hungry. Everybody had
fought to get here and everybody had real
strength of character. It was a fight – one you
had to survive before you were accepted into
the group. Then you could go and play.
“Back then I wasn’t particularly streetwise,
France 1998 Taking so it was a good grounding for me. It built in
on Tunisia me a toughness, adaptability and resilience
WORLD CUP 2018 43
 MANAGER PROFILE: GARETH SOUTHGATE
that would be so important throughout
my career.”
Alan Smith first encountered Southgate
as a 17-year-old trainee. He told him that he
needed to toughen up, otherwise he was
more likely to be an estate agent than make
it as a professional footballer.
Within five years, Smith had seen enough
to make Southgate his skipper.
“It was Alan Smith who first made me
captain,” says Southgate. “I was 22 years
old and we’d just been relegated from the
Premier League back into Division One.
“We didn’t start the season well. And
when we lost one of the more senior players
to a long-term injury Alan called me into
his office. He said he was going to make
me captain. I was thinking, I’ve got some
44 WORLD CUP 2018
Focused Words of 30-year-olds in the dressing room. How am
advice for Dele Alli I going to manage that? And what was their
view of it going to be?
“I understood why Alan had chosen me.
He’d been my youth and reserve-team coach
and had made me captain both times. He
knew he could trust me, that I respected him
completely, would fight his corner and get his
messages across.
“I can’t say it was a comfortable
experience, but when I think about it
now…well, how do we grow as people? Mentor Guiding
“You get put into positions where you Marcus Rashford
are out of your comfort zone and you
have to adapt. You have to adjust and player, you probably become captain of your
give it your best. school or Sunday team because you’re the
“I don’t think you’re born with the capacity best player. As you get a bit older, it’s because
to become a captain or leader. As a young you’re the most sensible, so you’re less likely

to do something ridiculous.
“Then, slowly, you start to have some
experiences of leading that give you
something to draw on.
“People recognise that, actually, you’re
doing this quite well, so we’ll give you a bit
more responsibility in another area. And all
these experiences move you forward.
“So I’m not sure what other qualities I had
outside of being a good player and being
sensible when I was younger. But bits were
added on as I progressed through my career.
I came through the highs and the lows,
learned how to react to them in a way that
made the most of my personal qualities.
“These days I can look back on all these
early experiences and know that they’re a
real strength. That they enable me to give
Determined
The manager
has a tough streak
some mentorship to the players, and help Similar path With Joachim Low
them on their journey.”
As a young captain, Southgate also broke
the mould by writing a column for his local
newspaper, the Croydon Advertiser. But unlike
other players who allow their words to be
“ghosted” by another writer, Southgate
insisted on visiting the newspaper offices
and typing the words himself.
That strength of character was also
apparent at Euro 96, where Southgate
was taking part in his first international
tournament. The night before the semi-
finals against Germany, manager Terry
Venables asked for volunteers to take
penalties. Southgate put himself forward
while others, such as Paul Ince, declined.
That penalty miss would be the making
of Southgate as a player. He became an
established England international, winning
57 caps and playing at the 1998 World Cup
and Euro 2000. But when he left Aston Villa
in 2001 he moved not, as expected, to a
bigger club, but to Middlesbrough, where he
won the club’s first major trophy, the 2004
League Cup. tough decisions, dropping the likes of
His first managerial job came at the tender Jonjo Shelvey and Wilfried Zaha in order
age of 35, succeeding England-bound Steve to promote team spirit and successfully
McClaren at Boro. After initial success, led the team to the 2015 European
leading Boro to 12th place in the Premier Championship in Poland. His experience
League in his first season, he was sacked in there was not a successful one – England lost
October 2009 after relegation. to Portugal and Italy and finished bottom of
His subsequent career moves, as a TV their group – but the tournament experience
pundit and as the Football Association’s proved to be a valuable learning curve.
head of elite development, confirmed that The likes of Harry Kane, Jesse Lingard,
Southgate was cut from a different cloth John Stones and Ruben Loftus-Cheek were
to most former players. all members of that squad, and have followed
As England under-21 coach he made their manager into the senior squad.
As the current England boss, Southgate
is a pioneer as the first manager to be
promoted from within by the Football
Association. He follows the likes of Germany’s
Joachim Low, who was previously assistant
to Jurgen Klinsmann, and Spain’s Julen
Lopetegui, who was previously the Spanish
under-21 coach.
If England can come anywhere close
to matching Germany and Spain in future
Miss Euro ’96 tournaments, Southgate will once again
penalty shoot-out have proved the doubters wrong.
WORLD CUP 2018 45
WORLD CUP MASCOTS
Zabivaka, meaning “the one who scores”, is the official mascot for this year’s finals

Russia 2018:
Zabivaka

1974: Italy 1990:

West Germany Tap Brazil 2014:
Tip and Ciao Fuleco

46 WORLD CUP 2018

 South Africa 2010:
Zakumi

England 1966:
World Cup Willie

Germany 2006:
Goleo and Pille

USA 1994:
Striker
Mexico 1986:
Pique

Argentina 1978:
Gauchito
France 1998:
Footix

WORLD CUP 2018 47

THE THRILLING FIELDS
The 64 games of the 2018 World Cup will be played in some amazing stadiums across Russia

696)
rg Arena (35,
: Yekaterinbu
Yekaterinburg

Saransk:
a
Mordovia Aren
(44,442)
Moscow:
ium
Spartak Stad 0)
(45,36
 Saint Petersburg:
Saint Petersburg
Stadium (68,134)

n:
Rostov-on-Do
Rostov Arena
(45,000)
Kaliningrad:
adium
Kaliningrad St 212)
(35,
THE WORLD CUP STADIUMS

Samara:
Samara Arena
(44,918)

Kazan:
Kazan Arena
(45,379)
Sochi:
Fisht Stadium
(47,659)
 Volgogra
d
Volgogra :
d
(45,568 Arena
)

Moscow:
ium
Luzhniki Stad 0)
(81,00
od:
Nizhny Novgor od
Nizhny Novgor 9)
Stadium (44,89
 STAR PROFILE: TONI KROOS

KROOS CONTROL
The Real Madrid midfielder is at the heart of Germany’s best moves
He may not be the most flamboyant of Leverkusen and Bayern Munich, and we spoke about it recently,” he says. “He
individuals, nor is he a prolific marksman. unhesitatingly places him among the has the capacity to run more both defensively
But as a director of operations, Toni top three midfielders in the world. and attacking. He has brilliant feet and can
Kroos is indisputably pure gold. German Bundestrainer Joachim Low is also a Unsure: As boss score from those kind of positions with his
of Bayern, Jurgen
Only the very best can hope to sit in the fan and says: “His consistency at the top level Klinsmann (right) powerful shot”
midfield driving seat at Real Madrid and the is remarkable. Week after week, game after was not convinced And Kroos is quick to give credit, admitting:
unassuming German certainly fits the bill. game, he performs to the highest standard in about Kroos “With Zidane I’m in a situation where I can
Never ruffled, he is always in total technical La Liga, the Champions raise again my level. I can
control and remains as reliable as a Swiss League and for our play better. And that is
watch in his precision passing, tempo-setting national team. largely to his credit. The
and set-piece delivery. “You can always rely on coach knows I can play
A player to co-ordinate, compliment and him to intelligently link deep in midfield or in
simplify, he combines skill, poise and vision the play. He puts a box-to-box role and
with a tremendous work ethic. A coach’s his stamp on the game: a little more advanced.”
dream, it speaks volumes that no one in the calmly, confidently Kroos may have been a
game ever seems to have a bad word to say and staying true to his World Cup winner in 2014,
about him – especially those who have had unbelievable football as well as a Champions
the pleasure of deploying his talents. and strategic qualities.” League victor with both
His first coach in Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti, paid Current Madrid boss Bayern and Real, but his
tribute to his authority and playmaking class Zinedine Zidane is also career has not been all
by dubbing him “The Professor”, while Jupp a huge fan. “Kroos likes garlands and trophies.
Heynckes, who was his boss at both Bayer to arrive late in the box In his early days at Bayern

52 WORLD CUP 2018

 On target: Scoring
against Brazil in the
2014 World Cup

– who he joined at the age of 16 – there

Versatile: In the
were many at the club who thought he was thick of things
not mentally strong enough to make the against France
grade. One of those was then-coach Jurgen
Klinsmann who, not convinced by Kroos, was
happy to let the youngster go out on loan to
Leverkusen in 2009. But after blossoming
into a fine schemer in the Rhineland, he
would become an automatic starter on
returning to Bayern 18 months later.
Yet, despite picking up plenty of honours at
the Allianz Arena, there was perhaps a feeling
at the back of Kroos’ mind that he would
always be unappreciated by Bayern’s powers-
that-be. Denied wage parity with the club’s
big-hitters, he refused a new deal, and in the
summer of 2014 he was sold to Real for a
bargain €25million.
Kroos agreed a new long-term contract at
Madrid in 2016 but that has not stopped talk
that he will be Manchester United’s prime
transfer target this summer. With Michael
Carrick set to retire, Jose Mourinho is keen to
reinforce his midfield options and the addition
of Kroos would also allow Paul Pogba to play
further forward.
It has long been a source of regret for Bayern
that they allowed such an inspirational player
to leave the club.
Will Real Madrid regret the same decision?

WORLD CUP 2018 53

 STAR PROFILE: ISCO

54 WORLD CUP 2018

 THE ISCO KID
The Real Madrid ace will Spain’s midfield maestro in Russia

Spain will have a new midfielder leader

in Russia this summer. After Xavi and Local hero: playing
against Costa
Iniesta took the country to World Cup
Rica in Malaga
glory in 2010 in South Africa, there is
now a new kid in town: Francisco Roman
Alarcon Suarez, aka Isco.
In the Real Madrid dressing room, Isco’s
nickname is “Magia” (magic) – and you’ve
got to be pretty good to earn that label
in a dressing that includes talents such
as Ronaldo, Bale, Benzema and Modric.
But although Isco has become a key figure
for his club over the past two seasons, there
was a time when it was touch or go whether
he would make it as a professional.
When he was young he played for Atletico
Benamiel on gravel pitches not far from
Malaga, where a childhood pal insists: “He
was always capable of doing magic: it didn’t
matter if it was on the pitch or walking back
home from school, there was always a ball
at his feet.
“Ever since we were kids, we used to say to
ourselves, ‘if he doesn’t make it, we’ll never
know anyone who does’. You could see he
was special.
“The funny thing was, at the time there were
scouts constantly watching him, but no one
used to call him, people used to say because

of the bandy legs, or he’s too slow.”
Isco himself has admitted “I’ve got twisted
feet”, while one of the scouts that first signed
him describes him as “culón”. In other words,
he has a big arse.
Valencia were the first club to take a punt on
Isco, but he didn’t really fit their aggressive
approach and they feared the fantasy was
offered up in lieu of fitness. But Malaga were
an attractive option: not only were they his
home-town team, they were building a side
to challenge Madrid and Barcelona. He joined
them at 19 and coach Manuel Pellegrini was
so impressed that he later did all he could to
take Isco to Manchester City with him.
Although that Malaga side didn’t last long
– the team was soon torn down, the assets
stripped and sold off – they did reach the
Champions League semi-final. Playing with
freedom just behind a centre-forward, Isco
was superb. Malaga played with possession
and patience, accumulating men inside and
then giving him the ball to feet.
That summer there were options. Isco was
a Barcelona fan as a kid and has a Labrador
called “Messi”, but when Real Madrid came
for him, his mind was made.
When he was a kid, he took a ball everywhere
with him and he claimed that his football
came from the streets, not so different as a
Talent: the
professional as it had been when he was little.
critics are
drooling “What I want is the ball,” he said. Which was
sometimes a problem – coaches wanted him
to be more serious, more dedicated, more
practical – and maybe still is at times.
“He’s capable of doing things that very few
people can do,” says Real Madrid coach
Zinedine Zidane – and if anyone knows a
thing or do about rare talent it is Zidane.
Under the Frenchman at Madrid, Isco has
thrived as a confident, more complete player.
“He knows that he is an important player,”
says Zidane. “He plays as if he was in the
street and I like that because he doesn’t
worry when things don’t come off. He is
very comfortable on the pitch. I’m pleased
that we’re seeing a better Isco every day.”
His performances for the national team have
confirmed that. “His effort is clearer each day,”
says Spain coach Julen Lopetegui says.
“He’s no longer that kid that stands watching
during games. His body and mind have
changed bit by bit.”
After scoring the first hat-trick of his career, in
a pre-World Cup warm-up against Argentina
in March, Isco praise Lopetegui, saying: “Julen
shows me confidence with minutes.”
Against Italy in a crucial qualifying at Madrid’s
Bernabeu stadium, he ran the game, scoring
twice. Then, when facing Costa Rica in his
home town of Malaga, the whole stadium was
chanting “Isco! Isco! Isco!” As one paper put
it: “When Isco starts to play, football enters
into a dimension where most of us mere
mortals start drooling.”
He will be Spain’s leader in Russia.
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WORLD CUP 2018
THE TEAMS
P60 P62 P64 P66

A RG E N T I N A AU ST RA L I A B E LG I U M B RA Z I L

P68 P70 P72 P74

CO LO M B I A CO STA R I CA C ROAT I A DENMARK

P76 P78 P80 P82

EGY P T E NG L A N D F RA NC E GERMANY

P84 P86 P88 P90

ICELAND I RA N JA PA N M E X I CO

P92 P94 P96 P98

M O RO CCO NIGERIA PA N A M A PERU

P100 P102 P104 P106

PO L A N D PO RT U GA L RUSSIA SAU D I A RA B I A

P108 P110 P112 P114

S E N EGA L SERBIA S O U T H KO R E A S PA I N

P116 P118 P120 P122

SW E D E N SW I T Z E R L A N D TUNISIA U R U GUAY
84 118

82

64

126

70
ARGENTINA
THE SCHEDULE
GROUP D
June 16 v Iceland (Moscow Spartak)
June 21 v Croatia (Nizhny Novgorod)
June 26 v Nigeria (Saint Petersburg)
THE BETTING
9/1 to win the World Cup
4/6 to win Group D
THE QUESTIONS
Do they have the players to defend in the way
that Jorge Sampaoli wants?
There appears to be a lack of defensive pace to push
up and play a high line. Without good attacking full-
backs, Sampaoli has been using wingers instead
– but the problems with such a plan were clear
in November’s 4-2 loss to Nigeria and the 6-1
humiliation to Spain in March.
How can the team reduce their dependence
on Lionel Messi?
Argentina cannot simply just give the ball to
their number 10 superstar and pray that he
does something special. Sampaoli must build
a side that gives Messi a structure to work in
– and one that gives the coach options if their
main man is injured or off form.
Can Paulo Dybala play in the same side
as Messi?
Sampaoli quickly had to abandon his initial attacking
trident because Messi and Dybala were unable to
60 WORLD CUP 2018
strike up any kind of relationship – in part, perhaps, THE COACH
for psychological reasons but mainly for technical ● Jorge SAMPAOLI
ones as both seek to operate in the same space. It The 58-year-old became Argentina’s
is important that the coach finds a solution. third coach of the qualifying campaign
– following on from Gerardo Martino
Who is the centre-forward? and Edgardo Bauza – and took charge for the final
Sampaoli rejected Gonzalo Higuain and went with four games. His intense, high press, attacking game
Mauro Icardi, who he then dropped him in favour of was a great success with Chile, and briefly in Spain
Dario Benedetto. He could opt for Lautaro Martinez, with Sevilla, but does he have the players to make it
who has been a sensation for Racing in this year’s work with Argentina?
Libertadores Cup.
THE KEY PLAYERS
Angel Di Maria was one of only two players – the
other was keeper Sergio Romero – to start in all 18
qualifying games. Although not always convincing,
Nicolas Otamendi will hope to take his improved
form with Manchester City into the national team.
THE ONES TO WATCH
Paulo Dybala has plenty of potential and has been
in great form for Juventus in Serie A. Giovani Lo
Celso has been the man Argentina turn to when
Messi is not available.
STAR MAN
● Lionel MESSI In the 10 in which he played,
In the eight games of the they managed 21. Seldom has
qualifying campaign that a team been so dependent
he missed, Argentina on one player as Argentina
accumulated just seven points. are on Lionel Messi.
 1930 Runners-up 1958 First Round 1978 WINNERS 1998 Quarter-finals
1934 First Round 1962 (did not qualify) 1982 Second round 2002 First round
1938 First Round 1966 Quarter-finals 1986 WINNERS 2006 Quarter-finals
WORLD CUP 1950 (did not qualify) 1970 (did not qualify) 1990 Semi-finals 2010 Quarter-finals
FINALS HISTORY 1954 (did not qualify) 1974 Second round 1994 Second round 2014 Runners-up

THE SQUAD
● Tagliafico ● Di Maria

● Mascherano
● Romero ● Banega ● Aguero

● Otamendi ● Messi
● Biglia

● Bustos ● Lo Celso

GOALKEEPERS Age 32 (30.01.86)

● Willy CABALLERO Apps in qualifying 13
Chelsea (Eng) Goals in qualifying 1
Age 36 (28.09.81)
Apps in qualifying 0
● Manuel LANZINI
● Nahuel GUZMAN West Ham United (Eng)
Tigres (Mex) Age 25 (15.03.93)
Age 32 (10.02.86) Apps in qualifying 0
Apps in qualifying 0 Goals in qualifying 0
● Sergio ROMERO ● Giovani LO CELSO
Manchester United (Eng)
Paris Saint-Germain (Fra)
Age 31 (22.02.87)
Apps in qualifying 18 Age 22 (09.04.96)
Apps in qualifying 0
DEFENDERS Goals in qualifying 0
● Marcos ACUNA ● Leandro PAREDES
Sporting (Por)
Zenit (Rus)
Age 26 (18.10.91)
Apps in qualifying 6 Age 23 (29.06.94)
Goals in qualifying 0 Apps in qualifying 1
● Fabricio BUSTOS Goals in qualifying 0
Independiente ● Diego PEROTTI
Age 21 (28.04.96)
Roma (Ita)
Apps in qualifying 0
Goals in qualifying 0 Age 29 (26.07.88)
● Federico FAZIO Apps in qualifying 0
Roma (Ita) Goals in qualifying 0
Age 31 (07.03.87) ● Eduardo SALVIO
Apps in qualifying 3
Benfica (Por)
Goals in qualifying 0
Age 27 (13.07.90)
● Marcos ROJO
Manchester United (Eng) Apps in qualifying 1
Age 28 (23.03.90) Goals in qualifying 0
Apps in qualifying 9
Goals in qualifying 0 FORWARDS
● Javier
● Sergio AGUERO
MASCHERANO
Hebei China Fortune (Chn) Manchester City (Eng)
Age 33 (08.06.84) Age 29 (02.06.88)
Apps in qualifying 15 Apps in qualifying 8
Goals in qualifying 0 Goals in qualifying 0
● Gabriel MERCADO ● Angel DI MARIA
Sevilla (Spa)
Age 31 (18.03.87) Paris Saint-Germain (Fra)
Apps in qualifying 9 Age 30 (14.02.88)
Goals in qualifying 2
PROFILE: SERGIO AGUERO
Apps in qualifying 18
● Nicolas OTAMENDI Goals in qualifying 2
Manchester City (Eng)
● Paulo DYBALA
Age 30 (12.02.88)
Apps in qualifying 15 Juventus (Ita)
In the South American qualifying campaign for Juventus this campaign but has often mis-fired
Goals in qualifying 1 Age 24 (15.11.93)
Russia 2018, Sergio Aguero started only two of when he has put on the national-team shirt. And
● Nicolas TAGLIAFICO Apps in qualifying 8
Argentina’s games alongside Lionel Messi – and his club partner Paulo Dybala is still considered
Ajax (Hol) Goals in qualifying 0
Argentina won both. something of a rough diamond.
Age 25 (31.08.92)
● Gonzalo HIGUAIN Finding a strike partner for Messi is the major That leaves Aguero as Argentina’s potential
Apps in qualifying 0
Goals in qualifying 0 Juventus (Ita) headache facing Argentina boss Jorge Sampaoli. striking saviour this summer. He missed much of
Age 30 (10.12.87) On paper, his side has an abundance of attacking the qualifying campaign through injury but has
MIDFIELDERS Apps in qualifying 9 options and there are so many talented strikers been in excellent form in a Manchester City side
● Ever BANEGA Goals in qualifying 1 that the likes of Carlos Tevez and Mauro Icardi are that has played some dazzling football this term.
Sevilla (Spa) ● Lionel MESSI unlikely to make the plane to Russia. But forwards The concern for Sampaoli and Argentina is that
Age 29 (29.06.88)
Barcelona (Spa) who have done well in the domestic league, such as Aguero’s exertions for City over the past season
Apps in qualifying 12
Goals in qualifying 0 Age 30 (24.06.87) Lautaro Martinez of Racing and Boca Juniors’ Dario may leave him tired and short of fitness when they
● Luca BIGLIA Apps in qualifying 10 Benedetto, have little experience on the major arrive at the finals. But putting the house on Aguero
Milan (Ita) Goals in qualifying 7 international stage. Gonzalo Higuain has starred for may be a risk that is worth taking.
WORLD CUP 2018 61
AUSTRALIA
THE SCHEDULE
GROUP C
June 16 v France (Kazan)
June 21 v Denmark (Samara)
June 26 v Peru (Sochi)
THE BETTING
500/1 to win the World Cup
20/1 to win Group C
THE QUESTIONS
Can the new coach impose his ideas in time?
Bert Van Marwijk took over from the attack-minded
Ange Postecoglou in January and has only had two
friendlies in March.
Who will score the goals?
Australia create a lot of chances but don’t convert
enough. Tomi Juric has done a reasonable job,
veteran striker Tim Cahill is back in contention after
his switch to England, but the promising Jamie
Maclaren looks to be out of contention.
Will Postecoglou’s back three be discarded?
Under their previous coach, Australia adopted a
three-man defensive system during the qualifiers.
They leaked goals initially, but the return of Mile
Jedinak helped provide more security. It worked
best in the Confederations Cup against the South
American champions, Chile, but in March’s friendly
games, against Norway and Colombia, new boss
Van Marwijk reverted back to a back four in a more
conservative formation.
62 WORLD CUP 2018
Will Tom Rogic be able to live up to his THE COACH
reputation in Russia? ● Bert VAN MARWIJK
Alongside Aaron Mooy, Rogic is Australia’s most gifted The 65-year-old steered Saudi Arabia
performer, but he has been inconsistent. through the World Cup qualifiers but
then quit and took charge of Australia.
Is Russia this generation’s golden chance? The former Borussia Dortmund and Feyenoord boss
The average age of the starting XI against Honduras led Holland to the 2010 World Cup Final.
in the qualifying play-offs was 28. In four years time,
they may be past their peak, so this is their World THE KEY PLAYERS
Cup. But can they emulate the 2006 team and get Aaron Mooy and Mile Jedinak will anchor the
past the group stage? midfield with Tom Rogic as the likely playmaker,
although Massimo Luongo performed well in the
March friendlies and could provide Van Marwijk
with a selection headache. Tim Cahill, now back at
Championship club Millwall, is preparing to play in a
fourth consecutive World Cup. Even at 38, he is still
a vital cog. Defender Matthew Jurman impressed
when he made his senior bow in the qualifiers.
THE ONES TO WATCH
Attacker Andrew Nabbout was one of the stars of
the A-League before a recent move to Japan. He was
given a debut by Van Marwijk in March.
STAR MAN
● Aaron MOOY out with the previous coach
The 27-year-old Huddersfield after being left on the bench
Town midfielder is regarded during the qualifiers but now
as the best of Australia’s new looks to be back in favour
generation. He had a big fall- under Van Marwijk.
 1974 First round 1990 (did not qualify)
1978 (did not qualify) 1994 (did not qualify) 2006 Second round
WORLD CUP 1982 (did not qualify) 1998 (did not qualify) 2010 First round
FINALS HISTORY 1986 (did not qualify) 2002 (did not qualify) 2014 First round

THE SQUAD
● Behich ● Luongo

● Jurman ● Jedinak
● Ryan ● Juric
● Rogic
● Milligan
● Mooy

● Risdon
● Leckie

GOALKEEPERS ● Mile JEDINAK

● Brad JONES Aston Villa (Eng)
Feyenoord (Hol) Age 33 (03.08.84)
Age 36 (19.03.82) Apps in qualifiers 13
Apps in qualifiers 0 Goals in qualifiers 10
● Mat RYAN
● Jackson IRVINE
Brighton & Hove
Hull City (Eng)
Albion (Eng)
Age 26 (08.04.92) Age 25 (07.03.93)
Apps in qualifiers 16 Apps in qualifiers 9
● Danny VUKOVIC Goals in qualifiers 1
Genk (Blg) ● Massimo LUONGO
Age 33 (27.03.85) Queens Park Rangers
Apps in qualifiers 0 (Eng)
Age 25 (25.09.92)
DEFENDERS
Apps in qualifiers 16
● Aziz BEHICH Goals in qualifiers 3
Bursaspor (Tur)
Age 27 (16.10.90) ● Aaron MOOY
Apps in qualifiers 5 Huddersfield Town (Eng)
Goals in qualifiers 0 Age 27 (15.09.90)
● Milos DEGENEK Apps in qualifiers 19
Yokohama F.Marinos Goals in qualifiers 2
(Jap) ● Tom ROGIC
Age 23 (28.04.94) Celtic (Sco)
Apps in qualifiers 9 Age 25 (16.12.92)
Goals in qualifiers 0
Apps in qualifiers 18
● Matthew JURMAN Goals in qualifiers 6
Suwon Bluewings (SKo)
Age 28 (08.12.89) ● James TROISI
Apps in qualifiers 4 Melbourne Victory
Goals in qualifiers 0 Age 29 (03.07.88)
● James MEREDITH Apps in qualifiers 9
Millwall (Eng) Goals in qualifiers 0
Age 29 (04.04.89)
Apps in qualifiers 2 FORWARDS
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Tim CAHILL
● Mark MILLIGAN Millwall (Eng)
Al Ahli (Sau)
Age 38 (06.12.79)
Age 32 (04.08.85)
Apps in qualifiers 18 Apps in qualifiers 16
Goals in qualifiers 2 Goals in qualifiers 11
● Josh RISDON ● Tomi JURIC
Western Sydney Lucerne (Swi)
Wanderers Age 26 (22.07.91)

PROFILE: MILE JEDINAK

Age 25 (27.07.92) Apps in qualifiers 16
Apps in qualifiers 4 Goals in qualifiers 5
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Robbie KRUSE
● Trent SAINSBURY
Bochum (Ger)
Jiangsu Suning (Chn) Australian sport has a habit of producing scoring 18 times in 75 appearances for Australia.
Age 26 (05.01.92) Age 29 (05.10.88)
inspirational leaders – and, in Mile Jedinak, the “He has always been a determined footballer
Apps in qualifiers 16 Apps in qualifiers 15
Socceroos have a captain who leads by example. who fought hard his whole career. He leads from
Goals in qualifiers 1 Goals in qualifiers 1
The bearded midfielder again proved his worth front and inspires people around him,” former
● Bailey WRIGHT ● Matthew LECKIE
in the qualifying campaign with a series of battling Australia boss Ange Postecoglou said of Jedinak.
Bristol City (Eng) Hertha Berlin (Ger)
Age 25 (28.07.92) displays. He returned from a long injury lay-off “Everyone has their own personality but
Age 27 (04.02.91)
Apps in qualifiers 12 Apps in qualifiers 19
to lead his side against Honduras in the two-legged leadership is about being yourself.
Goals in qualifiers 0 Goals in qualifiers 4 play-offs and hit a hat-trick, including a sweetly “When you put someone in a leadership role and
struck penalty, in the second leg to send his side they start changing their personality, people read
MIDFIELDERS ● Andrew NABBOUT
Urawa Red Diamonds to Russia. through it pretty quickly. With Mile, what you see is
● Josh BRILLANTE Jedinak has been a fixture for Australia since what you get.
Sydney (Jap)
Age 25 (17.12.92) making his debut in 2008. Although he has been “If you’ve got your captain putting their hand up
Age 25 (25.03.93)
Apps in qualifiers 0 Apps in qualifiers 0 lauded for his rugged defensive displays, the 33- in the heat of battle the other players are more
Goals in qualifiers 0 Goals in qualifiers 0 year-old has also weighed in with crucial goals, likely to take a step forward as well.”
WORLD CUP 2018 63
BELGIUM

THE SCHEDULE
GROUP G
June 18 v Panama (Sochi)
June 23 v Tunisia (Moscow Spartak)
June 28 v England (Kaliningrad)
THE BETTING
11/1 to win the World Cup
5/6 to win Group G
THE QUESTIONS
What is their Plan B?
By switching to a 3-4-2-1 set-up, Roberto Martinez
has shown an element of tactical flexibility that
predecessor Marc Wilmots lacked. But while this
covers the paucity of quality full-backs, it also reveals
a lack of a back-up – which could be essential if
Belgium find themselves being overrun in midfield
against some of the tournament favourites.
Can Vincent Kompany and Thomas Vermaelen
be relied upon in Russia?
The success of Martinez’s back three depends on
the form and fitness of Kompany or, as back-up,
Vermaelen. Other candidates, such as Laurent Ciman
and Dedryck Boyata, are short of international quality.
he is needed. He played the last half hour of the
March friendly against Saudi Arabia but that may
not be enough to convince Martinez.
Will Kevin De Bruyne shine on the world stage?
De Bruyne has openly criticised Martinez’s tactics
– which is probably a sign of his frustration at the fact
that he has rarely looked happy on the international
stage. He thrives on responsibility and it could be that
this has been in short supply when he has worn a
Belgium shirt.
THE COACH
● Roberto MARTINEZ
The 44-year-old Spaniard was
something of a surprise choice when
he was appointed in August 2016.
However, he has extensive knowledge of the Premier
League, which is home to half of the Belgian squad.
THE KEY PLAYERS
Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne are the top
dogs, but De Bruyne has rarely reproduced his club
form and remains an international enigma. Romelu
Lukaku scored regularly throughout the campaign.
Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen are the
linchpins of the defence, in front of keeper Thibaut
Courtois. Axel Witsel offers stability in front of a
back thee. Captain Vincent Kompany missed most
of the qualifying campaign through injury.
ONE TO WATCH
Promising Club Brugge midfielder Anthony
Limbombe made his debut in the March friendly
against Saudi Arabia.

Will Radja Nainggolan return?

STAR MAN
Martinez has never had a smooth relationship with ● Eden HAZARD Kompany. The Spanish coach
Nainggolan, who offers a physicality that’s lacking The Chelsea number 10 has has also granted the 27-
in Belgium’s midfield. After injury forced him out been Roberto Martinez’s year-old far more freedom
of the autumn friendlies against Japan and Mexico, choice as captain in the to roam with Belgium than
Nainggolan has little time to convince Martinez that absence of the injured Vincent he gets with his club side.
64 WORLD CUP 2018
 1930 First round 1962 (did not qualify) 1982 Second group 1998 Group stage
1934 First round 1966 (did not qualify) stage 2002 Second round
1938 First round 1970 Group stage 1986 Fourth place 2006 (did not qualify)
WORLD CUP 1954 Group stage 1974 (did not qualify) 1990 Second round 2010 (did not qualify)
FINALS HISTORY 1958 (did not qualify) 1978 (did not qualify) 1994 Second round 2014 Quarter-finals

THE SQUAD
● Carrasco

● Vertonghen ● Mertens
● De Bruyne
● Courtois
● Kompany ● Lukaku

● Witsel
● E Hazard
● Alderweireld

● Meunier

GOALKEEPERS ● Marouane FELLAINI

● Koen CASTEELS Manchester United (Eng)
Wolfsburg (Ger) Age 30 (22.11.87)
Age 25 (25.06.92) Apps in qualifiers 6
Apps in qualifiers 0 Goals in qualifiers 0
● Thibaut COURTOIS
● Thorgan HAZARD
Chelsea (Eng)
Borussia
Age 25 (11.05.92)
Apps in qualifiers 10 Monchengladbach (Ger)
● Simon MIGNOLET Age 25 (29.03.93)
Liverpool (Eng) Apps in qualifiers 2
Age 30 (06.03.88) Goals in qualifiers 1
Apps in qualifiers 0 ● Anthony LIMBOMBE
Club Brugge
DEFENDERS Age 23 (15.07.94)
● Toby Apps in qualifiers 0
ALDERWEIRELD Goals in qualifiers 0
Tottenham Hotspur (Eng)
Age 29 (02.03.89) ● Thomas MEUNIER
Apps in qualifiers 9 Paris Saint-Germain (Fra)
Goals in qualifiers 1 Age 26 (12.09.91)
● Laurent CIMAN Apps in qualifiers 8
Los Angeles FC (USA) Goals in qualifiers 5
Age 32 (05.08.85) ● Radja
Apps in qualifiers 5 NAINGGOLAN
Goals in qualifiers 0
Roma (Ita)
● Leander Age 29 (04.05.88)
DENDONCKER Apps in qualifiers 2
Anderlecht
Goals in qualifiers 0
Age 23 (15.04.95)
Apps in qualifiers 3 ● Youri TIELEMANS
Goals in qualifiers 0 Monaco (Fra)
● Vincent KOMPANY Age 20 (07.05.97)
Manchester City (Eng) Apps in qualifiers 4
Age 32 (10.04.86) Goals in qualifiers 0
Apps in qualifiers 2 ● Axel WITSEL
Goals in qualifiers 0
Tianjin Quanjian (Chn)
● Thomas Age 29 (12.01.89)
VERMAELEN
Apps in qualifiers 8
Barcelona (Spa)
Age 32 (14.11.85) Goals in qualifiers 2
Apps in qualifiers 3
Goals in qualifiers 0 FORWARDS
● Jan VERTONGHEN ● Michy BATSHUAYI
Tottenham Hotspur (Eng) Chelsea (Eng)

PROFILE: ROMELU LUKAKU

Age 30 (24.04.87) Age 24 (02.10.93)
Apps in qualifiers 10 Apps in qualifiers 5
Goals in qualifiers 2 Goals in qualifiers 1
MIDFIELDERS ● Eden HAZARD
For a team that finished their qualifying campaign of Martinez, who signed him from Chelsea when
● Yannick CARRASCO Chelsea (Eng)
as Europe’s joint-top scorers – managing 43, along he was Everton manager. He believes Lukaku has
Dalian Yifang (Chn) Age 27 (07.01.91)
with Germany – Belgium have a problem with developed since joining Manchester United and
Age 24 (04.09.93) Apps in qualifiers 8
Goals in qualifiers 6
finding the net. says: “I have seen a big difference in terms of his
Apps in qualifiers 9
Goals in qualifiers 3 The big question facing coach Roberto Martinez maturity when he comes to international camps.
● Romelu LUKAKU
● Kevin DE BRUYNE is who will get the goals if Romelu Lukaku is “From the young player I signed, it is the same
Manchester United (Eng)
Manchester City (Eng) Age 24 (13.05.93)
injured? There is no obvious answer. Christian goalscorer but with an incredible maturity.
Age 26 (28.06.91) Apps in qualifiers 8 Benteke has been struggling all season with injuries “That is great to see, and he still has many, many
Apps in qualifiers 7 and poor form for Crystal Palace, Michy Batshuayi years to develop.
Goals in qualifiers 11
Goals in qualifiers 0 was neglected at Chelsea, while Divock Origi took “Everyone who plays with him or works with him
● Mousa DEMBELE ● Dries MERTENS
Napoli (Ita) time to settle in at Wolfsburg. realises very quickly that he has an elite brain.
Tottenham Hotspur (Eng)
Age 30 (06.05.87) Lukaku weighed in with 11 goals during the “When he went to Manchester United, he was
Age 30 (16.07.87)
Apps in qualifiers 3 Apps in qualifiers 9 qualifiers – which was five more than captain solely focused on starting well and making a big
Goals in qualifiers 0 Goals in qualifiers 5 Eden Hazard – and he has retained the confidence impact – and that is what he has done.”
WORLD CUP 2018 65
BRAZIL

THE SCHEDULE
GROUP E
June 17 v Switzerland (Rostov)
June 23 v Costa Rica (Saint Petersburg)
June 27 v Serbia (Moscow Spartak)
THE BETTING
9/2 to win the World Cup
2/9 to win Group E
THE QUESTIONS
Have they been truly tested yet?
Tite’s team were magnificent against a disappointing
crop of South American rivals but stiffer tests lie
ahead. That point was illustrated by the collapse of
Argentina’s defence against Nigeria on the same day
Brazil were held by an inexperienced England side.
Would the side benefit from appointing a
permanent captain?
Without a natural candidate for the role of on-field
leader, Tite has chosen a different skipper for every
match. Brazil sides have often been at their best with
a vocal leader.
season in the Premier League? Many in Brazil do not
see Roberto Firmino as a convincing replacement.
Can the team – and especially the star man
– stay in control of the emotional tone?
At home to Ecuador, they played a poor first half.
Neymar was over concerned with drawing fouls and
a routine game turned into a tense occasion. Neymar
lost control and picked up a yellow card for a crude
foul – and he missed four games through suspension.
Will he or others explode under pressure?
THE COACH
● TITE
The 56-year-old, who was appointed
in June 2016, is an intelligent and
charismatic figure who won domestic,
continental and world titles with Corinthians before
taking time off to carry out an in-depth study of
top-class European football.
THE KEY PLAYERS
Gabriel Jesus was by far the most significant
debutant in the qualifiers for Brazil – a teenage
gamble who immediately solved Brazil’s centre-
forward problem. He was the team’s top scorer in
qualification with seven goals – and he only started
half the games. Midfielder Paulinho was an inspired
selection by Tite, while centre-back Marquinhos
has quietly established himself as a vital ingredient
in the team.
ONE TO WATCH
Real Socieded striker Willian Jose was called up for
the March friendlies against Russia and Germany.

Can they cover the vulnerable space behind the

full-backs?
Both Dani Alves and Marcelo are rampaging attacking
STAR MAN
full-backs but neither is great defensively. ● NEYMAR opposing goal. Providing he
The PSG star is coming into can recover from a broken
Who is the reserve centre-forward? his peak years, full of dazzling bone in his foot – and if he
Gabriel Jesus has stepped up in magnificent style. improvisation at pace and can keep his head – the World
But what if he is injured, or jaded after his first full always a threat to the Cup could be his tournament.
66 WORLD CUP 2018
 1930 Group stage 1958 WINNERS 1978 Third place 1998 Runners-up
1934 First round 1962 WINNERS 1982 Second round 2002 WINNERS
1938 Third place 1966 Group stage 1986 Quarter-finals 2006 Quarter-finals
WORLD CUP 1950 Runners-up 1970 WINNERS 1990 Second round 2010 Quarter-finals
FINALS HISTORY 1954 Quarter-finals 1974 Fourth place 1994 WINNERS 2014 Fourth place

THE SQUAD
● Marcelo
● Paulinho
● Marquinhos
● Alisson ● Fernandinho ● Neymar

● Miranda ● Jesus
● Augusto
● Willian

● Dani Alves

GOALKEEPERS Apps in qualifiers 7

● ALISSON
Roma (Ita)
Age 25 (02.10.92)
Apps in qualifiers 16
● CASSIO
Corinthians
Age 30 (06.06.87)
Apps in qualifiers 0
● EDERSON
Manchester City (Eng)
Age 24 (17.08.93)
Apps in qualifiers 1
DEFENDERS
● ALEX SANDRO
Juventus (Ita)
Age 27 (16.01.91)
Apps in qualifiers 2
Goals in qualifiers 0
● DANI ALVES
Paris Saint-Germain (Fra)
Age 34 (06.05.83)
Apps in qualifiers 17
Goals in qualifiers 1
● FAGNER
Corinthians
Age 28 (11.06.89)
Apps in qualifiers 1
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Pedro GEROMEL
Gremio
Age 32 (21.09.85)
Apps in qualifiers 0
Goals in qualifiers 0
● MARCELO
Real Madrid (Spa)
Age 29 (12.05.88)
Apps in qualifiers 7
Goals in qualifiers 1
● MARQUINHOS
Paris Saint-Germain (Fra)
Age 23 (14.05.94)
Apps in qualifiers 14
Goals in qualifiers 0
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Philippe COUTINHO
Barcelona (Spa)
Age 25 (12.06.92)
Apps in qualifiers 13
Goals in qualifiers 4
● DOUGLAS COSTA
Juventus (Ita)
Age 27 (14.09.90)
Apps in qualifiers 7
Goals in qualifiers 2
● FERNANDINHO
Manchester City (Eng)
Age 32 (04.05.85)
Apps in qualifiers 10
Goals in qualifiers 0
● FRED
Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukr)
Age 25 (05.03.93)
Apps in qualifiers 0
Goals in qualifiers 0
● PAULINHO
Barcelona (Spa)
Age 29 (25.07.88)
Apps in qualifiers 11
Goals in qualifiers 6
● WILLIAN
Chelsea (Eng)
Age 29 (09.08.88)
Apps in qualifiers 16
Goals in qualifiers 4
POSITION
● Roberto FIRMINO
Liverpool (Eng)
Age 26 (02.01.91)
Apps in qualifiers 6

● MIRANDA
Internazionale (Ita)
Age 33 (07.09.84)
Apps in qualifiers 17
Goals in qualifiers 1
● THIAGO SILVA
Paris Saint-Germain (Fra)
Age 33 (22.09.84)
Apps in qualifiers 5
Goals in qualifiers 0
MIDFIELDERS
● Renato AUGUSTO
Beijing Guoan (Chn)
Age 30 (08.02.88)
Apps in qualifiers 16
Goals in qualifiers 3
● CASEMIRO
Real Madrid (Spa)
Age 26 (23.02.92)
Goals in qualifiers 1
● Gabriel JESUS
Manchester City (Eng)
Age 21 (03.04.97)
Apps in qualifiers 10
Goals in qualifiers 7
● NEYMAR
Paris Saint-Germain (Fra)
Age 26 (05.02.92)
Apps in qualifiers 14
Goals in qualifiers 6
● TAISON
Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukr)
Age 30 (13.01.88)
Apps in qualifiers 0
Goals in qualifiers 0
PROFILE: PAULINHO
Paulinho is living proof of the changing nature of
the global game. Dismissed as a has-been after he
was sold by Tottenham to Guangzhou Evergrande in
2015, the central midfielder was determined to use
his time in the Chinese Super League to press his
case for a Brazil recall.
China may be seen by many as a graveyard for
famous players but Paulinho was a great success,
winning the domestic title and Asian Champions
League with Guangzhou. His performances caught
the eye of Brazil boss Tite, who invited him back to
the national team.
It was a controversial recall but Tite is well
aware of his virtues from their time together at
Corinthians, where the pair won the Libertadores
Cup and Club World Cup. Paulinho was a roaring
success in the World Cup qualifiers, scoring six
goals, providing a dynamic presence in midfield and
earning a transfer to Barcelona last summer.
“Paulinho is evolving and he is raising his level,”
Tite said last autumn as Brazil prepared to play their
final World Cup qualifiers. “From my point of view,
the reason for that is he’s playing in Barcelona’s
system of support and collaboration.
“He is a box-to-box player, but he has good
intuition and perception of play, which are among
the best features of his game, so he will do very
well for Barcelona.”
WORLD CUP 2018 67
COLOMBIA

THE SCHEDULE
GROUP H
June 19 v Japan (Saransk)
June 24 v Poland (Kazan)
June 28 v Senegal (Samara)
THE BETTING
33/1 to win the World Cup
15/8 to reach the quarter-finals
THE QUESTIONS
Can they trust David Ospina?
With the exception of a meaningless Copa Centenario
group game, it is more than six years since anyone
but Ospina has started a competitive match in goal
for Colombia. However, inactivity at Arsenal may have
taken its toll.
How will Radamel Falcao be used?
Jose Pekerman has rarely trusted Falcao to play up
front on his own, with Duvan Zapata playing alongside
him in the final qualifier. If they are to play two up
front, a creative midfielder will be sacrificed.
amount for a team that did not change coach – and
during the campaign there were doubts over whether
Pekerman was really sure about his line-up or tactics.
Can a promising generation make the step up?
Yerry Mina and fellow centre-back Davinson
Sanchez, defensive midfielder Wilmar Barrios and
attacking midfielder Edwin Cardona are just some of
the promising members of Pekerman’s squad. But
there is a giant step between promise and reality,
which many bright Colombians have failed to bridge.
THE COACH
● Jose PEKERMAN
Made his name as a highly successful
coach of the under-20s in his native
Argentina at the turn of the century,
and took the senior side to the 2006 World Cup.
Appointed to the Colombia post at the start of 2012.
THE KEY PLAYERS
Defensive midfielder Carlos Sanchez is a man-
marking specialist whose positional sense and timing
in the tackle balance out the side. Striker Radamel
Falcao reclaimed his place at centre-forward after
injury. Gifted but wayward attacking midfielder Edwin
Cardona was the most important of the post-2014
intake, along with Yerry Mina, the giant centre-half
who is quick on the ground, dominant in the air and
came into the side for the second half of the
qualifying campaign.
ONE TO WATCH
Attacker Duvan Zapata has been in great form for
Sampdoria in Serie A this season.

Will past experience count?

Several of the squad played their way through
to the 2014 World Cup quarter-finals, the 2015
Copa America quarter-finals and the 2016 Copa
STAR MAN
Centenario semi-finals. Experience might just help ● James RODRIGUEZ the focal point of his national
them hang in there and grind out results. The big star of the 2014 World side. Colombia’s top scorer in
Cup has had an uneasy time qualification, he is currently
Does Pekerman know his best team? at club level since his golden on a two-year loan at Bayern
Colombia used 45 players in qualification – a huge tournament but relishes being Munich from Real Madrid.
68 WORLD CUP 2018
 1950 (did not enter) 1970 (did not qualify) 1990 Second round
1954 (did not enter) 1974 (did not qualify) 1994 Group stage
1958 (did not qualify) 1978 (did not qualify) 1998 Group stage
WORLD CUP 1962 Group stage 1982 (did not qualify) 2002 (did not qualify) 2010 (did not qualify)
FINALS HISTORY 1966 (did not qualify) 1986 (did not qualify) 2006 (did not qualify 2014 Quarter-finals

THE SQUAD
● Fabra ● Muriel

● Mina ● Falcao
● C Sanchez
● Ospina ● Rodriguez
● Aguilar
● D Sanchez
● Cardona
● Arias

GOALKEEPERS Apps in qualifiers 14

● Jose CUADRADO Goals in qualifiers 3
Once Caldas
● Juan CUADRADO
Age 32 (01.06.85)
Apps in qualifiers 18 Juventus (Ita)
● David OSPINA Age 29 (26.05.88)
Arsenal (Eng) Apps in qualifiers 15
Age 29 (31.08.88) Goals in qualifiers 1
Apps in qualifiers 0
● James RODRIGUEZ
● Camilo VARGAS
Real Madrid (Spa)
Atletico Nacional
Age 29 (09.03.89) Age 26 (12.07.91)
Apps in qualifiers 0 Apps in qualifiers 13
Goals in qualifiers 6
DEFENDERS
● Juan QUINTERO
● Santiago ARIAS
PSV (Hol) Porto (Por)
Age 26 (13.01.92) Age 25 (18.01.93)
Apps in qualifiers 13 Apps in qualifiers 0
Goals in qualifiers 0 Goals in qualifiers 0
● Frank FABRA
● Carlos SANCHEZ
Boca Juniors (Arg)
Age 27 (22.02.91) Fiorentina (Ita)
Apps in qualifiers 8 Age 32 (06.02.86)
Goals in qualifiers 0 Apps in qualifiers 15
● Jefferson LERMA Goals in qualifiers 0
Levante (Spa)
Age 23 (25.10.94) ● Mateus URIBE
Apps in qualifiers 0 America (Mex)
Goals in qualifiers 0 Age 27 (21.03.91)
● Yerry MINA Apps in qualifiers 2
Barcelona (Spa) Goals in qualifiers 0
Age 23 (23.09.94)
Apps in qualifiers 5
Goals in qualifiers 1 FORWARDS
● Oscar MURILLO ● Carlos BACCA
Pachuca (Mex) Milan (Ita)
Age 30 (18.04.88) Age 31 (08.09.86)
Apps in qualifiers 9
Goals in qualifiers 0 Apps in qualifiers 13
● Davinson SANCHEZ Goals in qualifiers 3
Tottenham Hotspur (Eng) ● Miguel BORJA
Age 21 (12.05.96) Palmeiras (Bra)
Apps in qualifiers 4
Age 25 (26.01.93)
Goals in qualifiers 0
Apps in qualifiers 2

PROFILE: EDWIN CARDONA

● Cristian ZAPATA
Milan (Ita) Goals in qualifiers 0
Age 31 (30.09.86) ● Radamel FALCAO
Apps in qualifiers 10 Monaco (Fra)
Goals in qualifiers 0 Edwin Cardona is arguably Colombia’s most talented Over the past year, he has found a degree of
Age 32 (10.02.86)
footballer. Unfortunately, he is also their most stability on loan at Argentinian powerhouse Boca
MIDFIELDERS Apps in qualifiers 8
controversial. Juniors after a turbulent period in Mexico, where he
● Abel AGUILAR Goals in qualifiers 2
The 25-year-old Boca Juniors midfield ace fell out with coaches and officials on a regular basis.
Deportivo Cali ● Luis MURIEL
Age 33 (06.01.85) emerged as one of the stars of the South American His time in Argentina has not been without
Sevilla (Spa) side’s qualifying campaign, but he also seemed to problems – he has been sent off on average once
Apps in qualifiers 8
Goals in qualifiers 1 Age 27 (16.04.91) encounter controversy around every corner. every 10 games – but Colombia coach Jose
● Wilmar BARRIOS Apps in qualifiers 10 Cardona caused outrage last year when he Pekerman is reluctant to drop Cardona, who
Boca Juniors (Arg) Goals in qualifiers 0 insulted South Korea players during a friendly reminds him of James Rodriguez.
Age 24 (16.10.93) ● Duvan ZAPATA by making a racist, “slanty-eyed” gesture at his “Cardona’s youth and his start in the game
Apps in qualifiers 6
Napoli (Ita) opponents during the match. remind me of the early days of James,” Pekerman
Goals in qualifiers 0
Age 27 (01.04.91) The incident earned him a ban and was the says. “You cannot compare their games by the way
● Edwin CARDONA
Monterrey (Mex) Apps in qualifiers 2 latest unprofessional setback in a career that has he moves, but in the technical and conceptual
Age 25 (08.12.92) Goals in qualifiers 0 been dogged by indiscipline. aspects of football they are very similar.”
WORLD CUP 2018 69
COSTA RICA

THE SCHEDULE
GROUP E
June 17 v Serbia (Samara)
June 22 v Brazil (Saint Petersburg)
June 27 v Switzerland (Nizhny Novgorod)
THE BETTING
300/1 to win the World Cup
16/1 to reach quarter-finals
THE QUESTIONS
Will the stars be back in time?
Joel Campbell and Bryan Ruiz were both going
through rough patches of form before getting injuries.
The pair have been instrumental for Costa Rica in
recent years.
Where is the generational change?
It was hoped that players such as Jimmy Marin,
Randall Leal and Gerson Torres, all aged 20, would
make the step up to the senior team, but they
do not appear to be remotely close to doing so.
Kevin Briceno, Yendrick Ruiz, Josue Mitchell,
Wilmer Azofeifa, Ian Smith and Ulises Segura were
called up for the March friendlies against Scotland.
friendly defeats against Spain (5-0) and Hungary
(1-0) are worrying. March’s victory in Scotland (1-0)
was followed by defeat to Tunisia (1-0).
Is Oscar Ramirez a good coach?
Those friendly defeats have intensified the doubts
regarding Ramirez. A good part of the press and
many fans blame him for being too defensive and
not being able to make the right adjustments during
games. His position does not seem in danger but he
is far from a unifying figure.
THE COACH
● Oscar RAMIREZ
The 52-year-old was appointed in
2015 after Paulo Wanchope resigned.
“El Machillo” (the blonde) was a
standout midfielder and part of the Costa Rica
side that took part in the 1990 World Cup. After his
retirement he was technical assistant at Saprissa and
the national team, and coach of Santos de Guapiles
and Alajuelense, with whom he won five league titles.
THE KEY PLAYERS
Of their three stars in Europe – Keylor Navas,
Bryan Ruiz and Joel Campbell – only Navas is
a starter in an elite team. Many of the players who
surprised the world in Brazil have kept a place in the
squad. Giancarlo Gonzalez, Oscar Duarte, Celso
Borges, Yeltsin Tejeda, Christian Bolanos and
Marco Urena form a experienced backbone.
ONES TO WATCH
This is a team with lots of experience and therefore
no newcomers of note.

Will it be possible to reverse the recent run of

bad form?
STAR MAN
Although no one expected Costa Rica to perform as ● Keylor NAVAS successful Costa Rican in
well as they did in Brazil, it was clear that the team Genuine world-class keeper European football, having
had a positive momentum in the build-up to the who was the star of Costa won back-to-back Champions
tournament, which is not the case this time. They Rica’s run to the quarter-finals League titles with Real Madrid
have not played well in recent matches and the in 2014 and is the most in 2016 and 2017.
70 WORLD CUP 2018
 1930 (did not enter) 1958 (did not qualify) 1978 (did not qualify) 1998 (did not qualify)
1934 (did not enter) 1962 (did not qualify) 1982 (did not qualify) 2002 Group stage
1938 (did not enter) 1966 (did not qualify) 1986 (did not qualify) 2006 Group stage
WORLD CUP 1950 (did not enter) 1970 (did not qualify) 1990 Second round 2010 (did not qualify)
FINALS HISTORY 1950 (did not enter) 1974 (did not qualify) 1994 (did not qualify) 2014 Quarter-finals

THE SQUAD
● Gamboa
● Wallace
● Gonzalez

● Navas ● Guzman
● Urena
● Duarte
● Borges
● Acosta
● Ruiz
● Oviedo

GOALKEEPERS Age 30 (01.01.88)

● Leonel MOREIRA Apps in qualifiers 12
Herediano Goals in qualifiers 2
Age 28 (02.04.90)
Apps in qualifiers 0 MIDFIELDERS
● Keylor NAVAS
● Christian BOLANOS
Real Madrid (Spa)
Age 31 (15.12.86) Saprissa
Apps in qualifiers 11 Age 33 (17.05.84)
● Patrick Apps in qualifiers 14
PEMBERTON Goals in qualifiers 4
Alajuelense ● Celso BORGES
Age 35 (24.05.82) Deportivo La Coruna
Apps in qualifiers 4 (Spa)
Age 29 (27.05.88)
DEFENDERS
Apps in qualifiers 15
● Johnny ACOSTA
Rionegro Aguilas (Col) Goals in qualifiers 1
Age 34 (21.07.83) ● David GUZMAN
Apps in qualifiers 13 Portland Timbers (USA)
Goals in qualifiers 1 Age 28 (18.02.90)
● Francisco CALVO Apps in qualifiers 10
Minnesota United (USA) Goals in qualifiers 0
Age 25 (08.07.92)
Apps in qualifiers 7 ● Ulises SEGURA
Goals in qualifiers 1 DC United (USA)
● Oscar DUARTE Age 24 (26.06.93)
Espanyol (Spa) Apps in qualifiers 0
Age 28 (03.06.89) Goals in qualifiers 0
Apps in qualifiers 6 ● Yeltsin TEJEDA
Goals in qualifiers 0 Lausanne-Sport (Swi)
● Cristian GAMBOA Age 26 (17.03.92)
Celtic (Sco)
Apps in qualifiers 2
Age 28 (24.10.89)
Apps in qualifiers 13 Goals in qualifiers 0
Goals in qualifiers 1 ● Rodney WALLACE
● Giancarlo New York City (USA)
GONZALEZ Age 29 (17.06.88)
Bologna (Ita) Apps in qualifiers 4
Age 30 (08.02.88) Goals in qualifiers 0
Apps in qualifiers 8
Goals in qualifiers 0
FORWARDS
● Ronald MATARRITA
New York City (USA) ● Joel CAMPBELL
Age 23 (09.07.84) Arsenal (Eng)
Apps in qualifiers 10 Age 25 (26.06.92)
Goals in qualifiers 2
● Bryan OVIEDO
Apps in qualifiers 12
Goals in qualifiers 2
PROFILE: JOEL CAMPBELL
Sunderland (Eng) ● Bryan RUIZ
Age 28 (18.02.90) Costa Rica’s amazing and unexpected run to led to him being loaned out to a series of clubs in
Sporting (Por)
Apps in qualifiers 7 the quarter-finals in Brazil was undoubtedly the Europe: Lorient (France), Real Betis (Spain),
Age 32 (18.08.85)
Goals in qualifiers 0
Apps in qualifiers 15 greatest moment in the country’s footballing history, Olympiakos (Greece), Villarreal (Spain) and
● Jose SALVATIERRA eclipsing their participation in the 1990, 2002 and
Goals in qualifiers 3 Sporting (Portugal).
Alajuelense
Age 28 (10.10.89) ● Marco URENA 2006 finals. His performances for Oympiakos and Villarreal
Apps in qualifiers 3 Los Angeles (USA) Campbell was one of the stars of that campaign prompted Arsenal to give him opportunities in the
Goals in qualifiers 0 Age 28 (05.03.90) four years ago. Unfortunately since that memorable first team in the 2015-16 season, but just as it
● Michael UMANA Apps in qualifiers 14 run of games in Brazil, Campbell’s career has not looked as if he would make the breakthrough it was
Cartagines Goals in qualifiers 4 taken off in the way that many predicted. decided to loan him out again, to Sporting, where
Age 35 (16.07.82) Born in the Costa Rican capital San Jose 25 he made a promising start before a knee injury
Apps in qualifiers 5 ● Johan VENEGAS
Minnesota United (USA) years ago, Campbell came to prominence at local playing for his country at the CONCACAF Gold Cup
Goals in qualifiers 0
Age 29 (27.11.88) club Saprissa. He was spotted by Arsenal’s scouting halted his progress.
● Kendall WASTON
Vancouver Whitecaps Apps in qualifiers 13 network and signed by the Premier League side in Now at Betis in Spain, he is struggling to get back
(USA) Goals in qualifiers 3 2011. Arsenal’s failure to obtain a UK work permit to fitness in time for the World Cup.
WORLD CUP 2018 71
CROATIA
THE SCHEDULE
GROUP D
June 16 v Nigeria (Kaliningrad)
June 21 v Argentina (Nizhny Novgorod)
June 26 v Iceland (Rostov-on-Don)
THE BETTING
28/1 to win the World Cup
7/4 to win Group D
THE QUESTIONS
Could Luka Modric be affected by his loss of
popularity back home?
Many Croat fans were unimpressed when he
sensationally retracted his original testimony at the
corruption trial of one-time Dinamo Zagreb chief
Zdravko Mamic. The latter is very much a hate figure
in the country and, with Modric appearing to side
with him, abuse of the Real Madrid midfielder has
been considerable.
After creating havoc at Euro 2016, have the
Croatia fans calmed down?
Far from it. Their hardcore supporters remain fiercely
opposed to the powers-that-be at the football
federation and are adamant that president Davor
Suker – once a prolific international striker – and
his cohorts are corrupt.
Who is the side’s unsung hero?
Defensive midfielder Milan Badelj is the one who
takes care of the dirty work and allows the likes of
Modric and Ivan Rakitic to play.
72 WORLD CUP 2018
Which areas of the pitch should concern coach THE COACH
Zlatko Dalic the most? ● Zlatko DALIC
Ivan Perisic is the squad’s only classic winger. Centre- Appointed caretaker boss in October
forward Andrej Kramaric can do a job on the right, 2017, he was given the national job on
where Mario Mandzukic also plays, but both are a permanent basis in November 2017.
much more of a threat through the middle. Prior to that he spent five years – from 2006 to
2011 – on the under-21 back-room staff under
Which uncapped players have a chance of going Drazen Ladic. As head coach in his own right, he has
to the World Cup? been in charge of Croat outfits Varteks Varazdin,
Defenders Antonio Milic and Duje Caleta-Car are in Rijeka and Slaven Belupo, plus clubs in Albania
with a shout. (Dinamo Tirana) and the Gulf (Al Faisaly Harmah,
Al Hilal and Al Ain).
THE KEY PLAYERS
The incomparable Luka Modric took over as
skipper from Darijo Srna at the start of last season.
As headstrong as he is talented, Mario Mandzukic
is an all-day headache for defenders. Ivan Rakitic
is an industrious, creative midfielder.
ONE TO WATCH
Schalke’s Marko Pjaca has impressed in the
Bundesliga this season.
STAR MAN
● Luka MODRIC Madrid since moving from
Arguably the world’s best Tottenham in 2010. A brilliant
midfielder, having won three schemer who can also play in
Champions League titles in a deeper, more defensive role
the four years with Real when required.

WORLD CUP
FINALS HISTORY
THE SQUAD
● Strinic
● Corluka ● Rakitic
● Subasic
● Badelj
● Lovren
● Vrsaljko
GOALKEEPERS
● Lovre KALINIC
Gent (Blg)
Age 23 (09 01.95)
Apps in qualifiers 2
● Dominik LIVAKOVIC
Dinamo Zagreb
Age 28 (03.04.90)
Apps in qualifiers 0
● Danijel SUBASIC
Monaco (Fra)
Age 23 (27.10.84)
Apps in qualifiers 10
DEFENDERS
● Vedran CORLUKA
Lokomotiv Moscow (Rus)
Age 32 (05.02.86)
Apps in qualifiers 3
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Tin JEDVAJ
Bayer Leverkusen (Ger)
Age 22 (28.11.95)
Apps in qualifiers 2
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Dejan LOVREN
Liverpool (Eng)
Age 28 (05.07.89)
Apps in qualifiers 6
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Zoran NIZIC
Hajduk Split
Age 28 (11.10.89)
Apps in qualifiers 0
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Josip PIVARIC
Dynamo Kiev (Ukr)
Age 29 (30.01.89)
Apps in qualifiers 9
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Ivan STRINIC
Sampdoria (Ita)
Age 30 (17.10.87)
Apps in qualifiers 3
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Domagoj VIDA
Besiktas (Tur)
Age 28 (29.04.89)
Apps in qualifiers 12
Goals in qualifiers 1
● Sime VRSALJKO
Atletico Madrid (Spa)
Age 26 (10.01.92)
Apps in qualifiers 10
Goals in qualifiers 0
MIDFIELDERS
● Milan BADELJ
Fiorentina (Ita)
Age 29 (25.02.89)
Apps in qualifiers 9
Goals in qualifiers 0
1930-1990
Part of Yugoslavia
1994 (did not enter) 2006 Group stage
1998 Third place 2010 (did not qualify)
2002 Group stage 2014 Group stage
● Perisic
● Kalinic
● Modric
● Mandzukic
● Marcelo BROZOVIC
Internazionale (Ita)
Age 25 (16.11.92)
Apps in qualifiers 11
Goals in qualifiers 2
● Mateo KOVACIC
Real Madrid (Spa)
Age 23 (06.05.94)
Apps in qualifiers 7
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Luka MODRIC
Real Madrid (Spa)
Age 32 (09.09.85)
Apps in qualifiers 10
Goals in qualifiers 1
● Ivan PERISIC
Internazionale (Ita)
Age 29 (02.02.89)
Apps in qualifiers 11
Goals in qualifiers 2
● Ivan RAKITIC
Barcelona (Spa)
Age 30 (10.03.88)
Apps in qualifiers 8
Goals in qualifiers 1
● Marko ROG
Napoli (Ita)
Age 22 (19.07.95)
Apps in qualifiers 5
Goals in qualifiers 0
FORWARDS
● Duje COP
Standard Liege (Blg)
Age 28 (01.02.90)
Apps in qualifiers 4
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Nikola KALINIC
Fiorentina (Ita)
Age 30 (05.01.88)
Apps in qualifiers 9
Goals in qualifiers 3 PROFILE: IVAN RAKITIC
● Andrej KRAMARIC
Hoffenheim (Ger) Many of Croatia’s top players are spread across extra motivation to play for the country of his
Age 26 (19.06.91) Europe – and not just because they play for some parents’ birth.
Apps in qualifiers 11 of the continent’s leading clubs. Quite a few Now 30, Rakitic’s career progression is the
Goals in qualifiers 3 Croatians were born outside of the country after perfect example of how hard work and dedication
● Mario MANDZUKIC their families fled the civil war in the former can earn the highest rewards. Far from starting in
Juventus (Ita) Yugoslavia. For example, Mateo Kovacevic was born the academy of a major league club, Rakitic began
Age 31 (21.05.86) in Austria, while Dejan Lovren was brought at Swiss side Basle, earning a move to Bundesliga
up in Germany after his family fled to Munich when outfit Schalke and then on to Sevilla, where his
Apps in qualifiers 11
Goals in qualifiers 5 he was three years old. performances, especially when winning the Europa
● Marko PJACA Ivan Rakitic was born and raised in Switzerland League, brought a move to Barcelona in 2014.
Juventus (Ita) after his family fled their former home to avoid the For Croatia, his midfield partnership with captain
Age 22 (06.05.95) bloodshed. Rakitic even played for Switzerland’s Luka Modric has been the bedrock of the national
Apps in qualifiers 1 under-21s before accepting the call to play for team for the past few seasons, with vice-captain
Goals in qualifiers 0 Croatia’s seniors. His upbringing has given him Rakitic often deputising for Modric.
WORLD CUP 2018 73
DENMARK

THE SCHEDULE
GROUP C
June 16 v Peru (Saransk)
June 21 v Australia (Samara)
June 26 v France (Moscow Luzhniki)
THE BETTING
100/1 to win the World Cup
6/1 to win Group C
THE QUESTIONS
Which system will get the best out of star man
Christian Eriksen?
Age Hareide prefers a 4-3-3 formation that allows
Eriksen the space to operate behind a main striker
and two wide men. However, it’s a different system to
the 4-2-3-1 formation at Tottenham, where Eriksen
has thrived this season.
Can defender Andreas Christensen become
a regular starter at Chelsea?
If so he will surely become one of the central
defenders for Denmark in Russia, rather than filling
in at right-back. So far this season Christensen has
benefited from injuries to David Luiz and the poor
form of Gary Cahill.
Who will score the goals if Eriksen is absent
through injury?
The obvious weakness is a lack of goals and the
over-reliance on Eriksen, who contributed crucial
goals in qualifying, including the winner in the 1-0
away victory in Montenegro and a spectacular
hat-trick against Republic of Ireland in the play-offs.
Yussuf Poulsen is one player who needs to become
more prolific, while Cornelius missed a number of
chances in March’s goalless friendly against Chile
in Aalborg.
THE COACH
● Age HAREIDE
The 64-year-old was a surprise choice
to replace long-serving Morten Olsen
in March 2016, not only because he is
Norwegian but also given his relative lack of success
as coach of his homeland a decade ago. Widespread
scepticism among the army of high-profile Danish
pundits from the “Dynamite” years has been washed
away by a superb run of results in 2017, culminating
in qualification. Nobody doubts now that he is worth
his contract until July 2020.
THE KEY PLAYERS
Christian Eriksen is now happy and able to accept
the responsibility of inspiring the team. Keeper
Kasper Schmeichel is following in the footsteps of
his famous father, Peter, while midfielder William
Kvist remains a valuable operator.
THE ONES TO WATCH
Strapping centre-forward Nicolai Jorgensen has
been in brilliant form for Dutch side Feyenoord.

Can striker Kasper Dolberg recover his form of

STAR MAN
last season and make a late bid for Russia? ● Christian ERIKSEN match. He has blossomed into
The 20-year-old is one of the most exciting Denmark’s talisman scored a world-class performer under
prospects to come out of Denmark. If he can find an incredible 11 goals in the the guidance of club manager
form with Ajax again he could overtake Andreas qualifying campaign, including Mauricio Pochettino at
Cornelius and Niklas Bendtner in the pecking order. a hat-trick in the final play-off Tottenham Hotspur.
74 WORLD CUP 2018

WORLD CUP
FINALS HISTORY
THE SQUAD
● Boilesen
● Kvist
● Christensen
● Schmeichel ● Eriksen ● N Jorgensen
● Kjaer
● Delaney
● Larsen
GOALKEEPERS
● Jonas LOSSL
Huddersfield Town (Eng)
Age 29 (01.02.89)
Apps in qualifying 0
● Frederik RONNOW
Brondby
Age 25 (04.09.92)
Apps in qualifying 3
● Kasper
SCHMEICHEL
Leicester City (Eng)
Age 31 (05.11.86)
Apps in qualifying 9
DEFENDERS
● Peter ANKERSEN
Copenhagen
Age 27 (22.09.90)
Apps in qualifying 7
Goals in qualifying 1
● Nicolai BOILESEN
Copenhagen
Age 26 (16.02.92)
Apps in qualifying 0
Goals in qualifying 0
● Andreas
CHRISTENSEN
Chelsea (Eng)
Age 22 (10.04.96)
Apps in qualifying 6
Goals in qualifying 1
● Henrik DALSGAARD
Brentford (Eng)
Age 28 (27.07.89)
Apps in qualifying 5
Goals in qualifying 0
● Riza DURMISI
Real Betis (Spa)
Age 24 (08.01.94)
Apps in qualifying 8
Goals in qualifying 0
● Mathias
JORGENSEN
Huddersfield Town (Eng)
Age 27 (23.04.90)
Apps in qualifying 2
Goals in qualifying 0
● Simon KJAER
Sevilla (Spa)
Age 29 (26.03.89)
Apps in qualifying 12
Goals in qualifying 0
● Jens LARSEN
Udinese (Ita)
Age 27 (21.02.91)
Apps in qualifying 6
Goals in qualifying 0
MIDFIELDERS
● Thomas DELANEY
Werder Bremen (Ger)
Age 26 (03.09.91)
Apps in qualifying 12
Goals in qualifying 4
1958 (did not qualify) 1982 (did not qualify)
1966 (did not qualify) 1986 Second round 2002 Second round
1970 (did not qualify) 1990 (did not qualify) 2006 (did not qualify)
1974 (did not qualify) 1994 (did not qualify) 2010 Group stage
1978 (did not qualify) 1998 Quarter-finals 2014 (did not qualify)
● Sisto
● Poulsen
● Christian ERIKSEN
Tottenham Hotspur (Eng)
Age 26 (14.02.92)
Apps in qualifying 12
Goals in qualifying 11
● Mike JENSEN
Rosenborg (Nor)
Age 30 (19.02.88)
Apps in qualifying 1
Goals in qualifying 0
● William KVIST
Copenhagen
Age 33 (24.02.85)
Apps in qualifying 11
Goals in qualifying 0
● Lukas LERAGER
Bordeaux (Fra)
Age 24 (12.07.93)
Apps in qualifying 1
Goals in qualifying 0
● Lasse SCHONE
Ajax (Hol)
Age 31 (27.05.86)
Apps in qualifying 4
Goals in qualifying 0
● Pione SISTO
Celta Vigo (Spa)
Age 23 (04.02.95)
Apps in qualifying 8
Goals in qualifying 0
FORWARDS
● Nicklas BENDTNER
Rosenborg (Nor)
Age 30 (16.01.88)
Apps in qualifying 5
Goals in qualifying 1
● Martin
BRAITHWAITE
Middlesbrough (Eng)
Age 26 (05.06.91)
PROFILE: PIONE SISTO
Apps in qualifying 2
Goals in qualifying 0
● Andreas
CORNELIUS
Denmark have had many dazzling wingers down in the World Cup squad, following a series
Atalanta (Ita)
the years, with Jesper Olsen starring for the “Danish of impressive displays for Spain’s Celta Vigo.
Age 25 (16.03.93)
Dynamite” side of the 1980s and Brian Laudrup Born in Kampala to South Sudanese parents, he
Apps in qualifying 8
Goals in qualifying 2
proving his brilliance with Rangers and others moved to Denmark at the age of two and helped
during the 1990s. modest Midtjylland to a surprise first Danish league
● Nicolai JORGENSEN
Pione Sisto has all the attributes to follow in their title in 2015.
Feyenoord (Hol)
Age 27 (15.01.91)
illustrious footsteps. The Ugandan-born left-winger Fast-tracked to Danish citizenship in 2015, he
Apps in qualifying 9 was one of the emerging stars of the World Cup was immediately called up to the Danish squad
Goals in qualifying 2 qualifying campaign, setting up a number of his for the European Under-21 Championship, where
side’s goals in their 5-1 play-off rout of Republic scouts from a number of big European clubs took
● Yussuf POULSEN
RB Leipzig (Ger) of Ireland. a keen interest.
Age 23 (15.06.94) In March, the 23-year-old scored his first senior Despite being heavily linked with Arsenal, he was
Apps in qualifying 9 goal for Denmark in the friendly victory over snapped up by Celta for €5million in 2016 and has
Goals in qualifying 1 Panama, and his performance sealed his place continued his progress in La Liga.
WORLD CUP 2018 75
EGYPT

THE SCHEDULE
GROUP A
June 15 v Uruguay (Yekaterinburg)
June 19 v Russia (Saint Petersburg)
June 25 v Saudi Arabia (Volgograd)
THE BETTING
150/1 to win the World Cup
11/2 to win Group A
THE QUESTIONS
What targets will Egypt be setting themselves
this summer?
Hector Cuper says a place in the last 16 is the
ambition, but a lack of experience may count against
his side. Egypt, however, will point to the fact that
they reached the Final of last year’s Nations Cup
after missing three successive African championships.
Can Mohamed Salah rise to the challenge on the
world stage?
Since he joined Liverpool, Salah has become a major
star, not only in Africa but worldwide. These days he
is under immense pressure to deliver every time he
plays for Egypt and he might find the pressure too
much to deliver consistently in the finals.
Why have Egypt failed to turn dominance
of the African game into regular World Cup
qualification?
Egypt last participated at the World Cup in 1990 and
– although they won four African Nations Cups in
that time – have suffered the agony of several close
misses, including a rare play-off game after finishing
tied with Algeria in the 2010 preliminaries. Over the
years they have employed a myriad of coaches to
take them to the promised land, including Ruud Krol,
Marco Tardelli and Bob Bradley.
THE COACH
● Hector CUPER
The 61-year-old Argentinian, who was
once coach of Georgia’s national team,
was appointed by Egypt in March 2015
on a three-year contract. His past successes include
taking Mallorca to the European Cup-winners Cup
Final and Valencia to two successive Champions
League Finals. Voted the Confederation of African
Football’s coach of the year in January.
THE KEY PLAYERS
Mohamed Salah is very much the talisman of the
team. Keeper Essam El Hadary, who turned 45 in
January, could become the oldest player ever at the
World Cup. Ahmed Fathy has won more than 120
caps for his country.
ONE TO WATCH
Amr Marey, a striker who plays for Etoile Sahel in
Tunisia, received his first call-up last year. Mercurial
midfield talent Shikabala recently returned to the
national set-up after a three-year absence.

Who will make a late push for the squad?

STAR MAN
Zamalek striker Basem Morsy might be forgiven ● Mohamed SALAH finals for the first time in 28
for his tantrums as Egypt seek a reliable target The Liverpool forward scored years. After his extraordinary
man, while Walid Soliman is also due to return after the crucial goal – a last-gasp first season at Liverpool, will
previously criticising the coach for leaving him out of penalty – that sealed Egypt’s he have enough energy left
the squad for a friendly game. qualification for the World Cup when he arrives in Russia?
76 WORLD CUP 2018
 1930 (did not enter) 1974 (did not qualify) 1994 (did not qualify)
1934 First round 1978 (did not qualify) 1998 (did not qualify)
1950 (did not enter) 1982 (did not qualify) 2002 (did not qualify)
WORLD CUP 1954 (did not qualify) 1986 (did not qualify) 2006 (did not qualify)
FINALS HISTORY 1970 (did not enter) 1990 Group stage 2010 (did not qualify) 2014 (did not qualify)

THE SQUAD
● Abdelshafi ● Hamed ● Trezeguet

● Gabr
● El Hadary ● Kouka
● Elneny
● Hegazi
● Salah
● Fathy ● Said

GOALKEEPERS Goals in qualifiers 0

● Mohamed AWAD
Ismaili
Age 25 (06.07.92)
Apps in qualifiers 0
● Essam EL HADARY
Al Tawoon (Sau)
Age 45 (15.01.73)
Apps in qualifiers 5
● Mohamed EL
SHENAWY
Al Ahly
Age 29 (18.12.88)
Apps in qualifiers 2
DEFENDERS
● Mohamed
ABDELSHAFI
Al Ahli Saudi (Sau)
Age 32 (01.07.85)
Apps in qualifiers 5
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Ahmed
ELMOHAMADY
Aston Villa (Eng)
Age 30 (09.09.87)
Apps in qualifiers 2
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Ahmed FATHY
Al Ahly
Age 33 (10.11.84)
Apps in qualifiers 4
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Omar GABER
Basle (Swi)
Age 26 (30.01.92)
Apps in qualifiers 3
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Ali GABR
Zamalek
Age 29 (10.01.89)
Apps in qualifiers 3
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Ahmed HEGAZI
West Bromwich Albion
● Mohamed ELNENY
Arsenal (Eng)
Age 25 (11.07.92)
Apps in qualifiers 8
Goals in qualifiers 1
● Tarek HAMED
Zamalek
Age 29 (24.10.88)
Apps in qualifiers 6
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Mohamed MAGDI
ENPPI
Age 22 (01.01.96)
Apps in qualifiers 0
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Abdallah SAID
Al Ahly
Age 32 (13.07.85)
Apps in qualifiers 6
Goals in qualifiers 3
● TREZEGUET
Anderlecht (Blg)
Age 23 (01.10.94)
Apps in qualifiers 6
Goals in qualifiers 0
FORWARDS
● KAHRABA
Zamalek
Age 24 (13.04.94)
Apps in qualifiers 3
Goals in qualifiers 0
● KOUKA
Braga (Por)
Age 25 (05.03.93)
Apps in qualifiers 5
Goals in qualifiers 2
● Marwan MOHSEN
Al Ahly
Age 29 (26.02.89)

PROFILE: ESSAM EL HADARY

(Eng)
Age 27 (25.01.91)
Apps in qualifiers 6
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Saad SAMIR
Al Ahly
Age 29 (01.04.89)
Apps in qualifiers 3
Goals in qualifiers 0
MIDFIELDERS
● Hossam ASHOUR
Al Ahly
Age 32 (09.03.86)
Apps in qualifiers 0
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Hussein EL SHAHAT
Al Ain (UAE)
Age 26 (06.09.91)
Apps in qualifiers 0
Apps in qualifiers 0
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Mohamed SALAH
Liverpool (Eng)
Age 25 (15.06.92)
Apps in qualifiers 5
Goals in qualifiers 5
● Ramadan SOBHI
Stoke City (Eng)
Age 21 (23.01.97)
Apps in qualifiers 6
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Momen ZAKARIA
Al Ahly
Age 30 (12.04.88)
Apps in qualifiers 5
Goals in qualifiers 5
A number of Egypt’s squad were not born when
Essam El Hadary made his international debut in
1996. Now, 22 years later, he could become the
oldest player to appear at a World Cup.
The 45-year-old goalkeeper is already the oldest
player to appear at the African Nations Cup. He has
won the African continental title four times but he
has never played at a World Cup. If he appears for
Egypt in Russia this summer, he will beat such
veterans as Faryd Mondragon (Colombia, aged 43),
Roger Milla (Cameroon, 42), Pat Jennings (Northern
Ireland, 41), Peter Shilton (England, 40) and Dino
Zoff (Italy 40).
El Hadary kept goal in five of Egypt’s six
qualifying games but was left out of the squad for
last autumn’s friendly matches by coach Hector
Cuper and has since moved to play for a club
in Saudi Arabia, where he might not get the
competitive training that Cuper requires for
him to stay him in shape for Russia.
However, Cuper is on record as saying: “I am not
worried about calling up El Hadary as his age is not
a problem for me at all. He is a very good keeper
and he proved that in recent league games.”
El Hadary was one of the heroes of Egypt’s run
to the Final of the 2107 African Nations Cup,
making crucial saves in penalty shoot-out semi-
final victory over Burkina Faso.
WORLD CUP 2018 77
ENGLAND

THE SCHEDULE
GROUP G FIXTURES
June 18 v Tunisia (Volgograd)
June 24 v Panama (Nizhny Novgorod)
June 28 v Belgium (Kaliningrad)
THE BETTING
16/1 to win the World Cup
8/11 to reach quarter-finals
THE QUESTIONS
Who will score the necessary goals if Harry
Kane is injured?
Kane was top scorer in the qualifiers, while Jamie
Vardy has struggled for Leicester City at times this
season and record scorer Wayne Rooney has retired.
Who will be first-choice keeper?
Joe Hart was criticised for conceding two free-kicks
against Scotland in the qualifiers and has lost his
place at West Ham United. Jordan Pickford of
Everton, Stoke City’s Jack Butland and Burnley pair
Tom Heaton and Nick Pope are all exciting long-term
prospects but lack big-match experience.
Can Jack Wilshere provide the midfield
creativity that appears to be lacking?
England lacked spark in the qualifiers and Wilshere
has played himself back into contention with some
strong performances for Arsenal.
Will Southgate opt for a back three?
When he became England manager Southgate
encouraged all England teams, from under-17s
upwards, to play 4-2-3-1 but he has recently
experimented with a 3-4-3.
THE COACH
● Gareth SOUTHGATE
Gareth Southgate stepped up from the
under-21s following Sam Allardyce’s
surprise exit in September 2016. The
47-year-old played in the 1998 World Cup finals as a
centre-back and missed a crucial penalty in England’s
Euro ’96 semi-final penalties defeat to Germany.
THE KEY PLAYERS
Tottenham Hotspur’s Dele Alli makes clever runs
from midfield, while Jordan Henderson of Liverpool
was Southgate’s preferred choice to anchor the
midfield, with Alli’s club-mate Eric Dier. Manchester
City’s Kyle Walker is a vibrant attacking right-back.
Striker Marcus Rashford of Manchester United as
been used as a wide attacker or from the bench.
ONES TO WATCH
Manchester United attacker Jesse Lingard has been
in fine form for his club. Centre-back Harry Maguire
and right-back Kieran Trippier made their debuts
during qualifying.

Which players could make a late push for

inclusion in the squad?
Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Harry Winks looks an
STAR MAN
accomplished prospect, while Dominic Calvert-Lewin ● Harry KANE captain by Gareth Southgate
– a star of England’s Under-20 triumph – needs The Tottenham Hotspur striker in October 2017. An ankle
game time at Everton. Midfielder Ruben Loftus- rescued the side on a number injury sidelined him for a few
Cheek was the star of last November’s friendly of occasions with crucial goals weeks in March and April but
against Germany but has been injured. in qualifying and was made he is expected to be fit.
78 WORLD CUP 2018

WORLD CUP
FINALS HISTORY
THE TEAM
● Rose
● Maguire
● Dier
● Butland ● Stones
● Henderson
● Jones
● Walker
GOALKEEPERS
● Jack BUTLAND
Stoke City
Age 25 (10.03.93)
Apps in qualifying 1
● Jordan PICKFORD
Everton
Age 24 (07.03.94)
Apps in qualifying 0
● Nick POPE
Burnley
Age 26 (19.04.92)
Apps in qualifying 0
DEFENDERS
● Ryan BERTRAND
Southampton
Age 28 (05.08.89)
Apps in qualifying 6
Goals in qualifying 1
● Joe GOMEZ
Liverpool
Age 20 (23.05.97)
Apps in qualifying 0
Goals in qualifying 0
● Phil JONES
Manchester United
Age 26 (21.02.92)
Apps in qualifying 2
Goals in qualifying 0
● Harry MAGUIRE
Leicester City
Age 25 (05.03.93)
Apps in qualifying 1
Goals in qualifying 0
● Danny ROSE
Tottenham Hotspur
Age 27 (02.07.90)
Apps in qualifying 4
Goals in qualifying 0
● John STONES
Manchester City
Age 23 (28.05.94)
Apps in qualifying 7
Goals in qualifying 0
● Kieran TRIPPIER
Tottenham Hotspur
Age 27 (19.09.90)
Apps in qualifying 1
Goals in qualifying 0
● Kyle WALKER
Manchester City
Age 27 (28.05.90)
Apps in qualifying 9
Goals in qualifying 0
● Ashley YOUNG
Manchester United
Age 32 (09.07.85)
Apps in qualifying 0
Goals in qualifying 0
MIDFIELDERS
● Dele ALLI
Tottenham Hotspur
1950 First round 1970 Quarter-finals 1990 Semi-finals
1954 Quarter-finals 1974 (did not qualify) 1994 (did not qualify)
1958 First round 1978 (did not qualify) 1998 Second round
1962 Quarter-finals 1982 Second group stage 2002 Quarter-finals 2010 Second round
1966 WINNERS 1986 Quarter-finals 2006 Quarter-finals 2014 Group stage
● Alli
● Kane
● Sterling
Age 22 (11.04.96)
Apps in qualifying 8
Goals in qualifying 1
● Eric DIER
Tottenham Hotspur
Age 24 (21.01.94)
Apps in qualifying 7
Goals in qualifying 1
● Jordan
HENDERSON
Liverpool
Age 27 (17.06.90)
Apps in qualifying 8
Goals in qualifying 0
● Jesse LINGARD
Manchester United
Age 25 (15.12.92)
Apps in qualifying 4
Goals in qualifying 0
● Ruben LOFTUS-
CHEEK
Chelsea
Age 22 (23.02.96)
Apps in qualifying 0
Goals in qualifying 0
● Alex OXLADE-
CHAMBERLAIN
Liverpool
Age 24 (15.08.93)
Apps in qualifying 5
Goals in qualifying 1
● Jack WILSHERE
Arsenal
Age 26 (01.01.92)
Apps in qualifying 0
Goals in qualifying 0
FORWARDS
● Harry KANE
Tottenham Hotspur
Age 24 (28.07.93)
Apps in qualifying 6
Goals in qualifying 5
PROFILE: ERIC DIER
● Marcus RASHFORD
For many years England lacked a dominant figure in when his mum went there to work as a volunteer at
Manchester United
Age 20 (31.10.97) central midfield to perform the crucial defensive Euro 2004. He joined Sporting’s academy in Lisbon
duties. Successive managers found space for both and made his debut in the Portuguese league in
Apps in qualifying 8
Goals in qualifying 1 Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard in the starting November 2012.
● Raheem STERLING line-up but neither was keen on playing the holding Tottenham Hotspur paid £4million to bring him
Manchester City role in midfield. Eric Dier is different. back to England in 2014 and he has thrived under
Age 23 (08.12.94) As a former central defender he is entirely manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Apps in qualifying 7 comfortable with the defensive side of the game. “Eric is an established player in the side now,”
Goals in qualifying 0 His versatility gives manager Gareth Southgate says Southgate says. “He plays with maturity and
extra options as he tries to move England to a more intelligence. He understands the game really well.
● Jamie VARDY
Leicester City possession-based game. “He has the respect of everybody because of the
Age 31 (11.01.87) Dier is different in other ways, too. Although way he is.
Apps in qualifying 4 none of the current England squad play outside “He connects well with the whole group. He is a
Goals in qualifying 1 the Premier League, he was brought up in Portugal really top professional.”
WORLD CUP 2018 79
FRANCE

THE SCHEDULE
GROUP C
June 16 v Australia (Kazan)
June 21 v Peru (Yekaterinburg)
June 26 v Denmark (Moscow Luzniki)
THE BETTING
11/2 to win the World Cup
1/5 to win Group C
THE QUESTIONS
Will Didier Deschamps stick to his preferred
4-3-3 system?
Having dabbled with 4-4-2, will he be daring and
flexible enough to employ other systems? With the
defensive talent at his disposal, three at the back
isn’t unimaginable. Les Bleus played 4-4-2 in a 3-2
friendly defeat to Colombia in Paris in March.
Can Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante establish
himself as a world star?
Acknowledged as the Premier League’s best
midfielder last season, the 27-year-old now needs
to make his mark at international level.
Aymeric Laporte, midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko, and
attackers Kingsley Coman and Moussa Dembele are
among those pushing for a place.
Is today’s France side better than the team that
made it to the Final of Euro 2016?
Quite possibly, plus they have more athletic full-backs
to call on and some audacious youngsters emerging
up front. Deschamps has tons of talent at his disposal
but needs to make the team gel sufficiently to go all
the way.
THE COACH
● Didier DESCHAMPS
The 49-year-old former France
captain won the 1998 World Cup and
Euro 2000 as a player before taking
over as the country’s coach in 2012. Known for his
no-nonsense style, his mistrust of the press and an
ability to make tough decisions, he signed a contract
extension that will keep him in charge until 2020.
THE KEY PLAYERS
Antoine Griezmann is one of the most coveted
attackers in the game. Teen striker Kylian Mbappe
is being hailed as one of the world’s most exciting
talents. Goalkeeper and captain Hugo Lloris is fast
closing in on a century of appearances. Rafael
Varane brings calm and authority to the centre of
defence, while Blaise Matuidi remains a Deschamps
favourite in midfield.
ONE TO WATCH
In-form Sevilla striker Wissam Ben Yedder was
a surprise call-up for the March friendlies.

Will this be the World Cup that sees the best of

midfielder Paul Pogba?
The Manchester United star has all the attributes to
STAR MAN
become a world star, but he’s not there yet. Russia ● Antoine GRIEZMANN have a major transfer sorted
could be the stage on which that all changes. The star of France’s run to the before the World Cup kicks
Final of Euro 2016 will be the off, with Barcelona strongly
Will there be any surprise selections? main man in Russia. Unsettled rumoured to have secured
France have so much talent it’s frightening. Defender at Atletico Madrid, he hopes to his signature.
80 WORLD CUP 2018

WORLD CUP
FINALS HISTORY
THE SQUAD
● Mendy
● Matuidi
● Umtiti
● Lloris ● Kante
● Varane
● Pogba
● Sidibe
GOALKEEPERS
● Alphonse AREOLA
Paris Saint-Germain
Age 25 (17.02.93)
Apps in qualifiers 0
● Hugo LLORIS
Tottenham Hotspur (Eng)
Age 31 (26.12.86)
Apps in qualifiers 11
● Steve MANDANDA
Marseille
Age 33 (28.03.85)
Apps in qualifiers 1
DEFENDERS
● Lucas DIGNE
Barcelona (Spa)
Age 24 (20.07.93)
Apps in qualifiers 2
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Presnel KIMPEMBE
Paris Saint-Germain
Age 22 (13.08.95)
Apps in qualifiers 0
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Laurent KOSCIELNY
Arsenal (Eng)
Age 32 (10.09.85)
Apps in qualifiers 8
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Benjamin MENDY
Manchester City (Eng)
Age 23 (17.07.94)
Apps in qualifiers 2
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Benjamin PAVARD
Stuttgart (Ger)
Age 22 (28.03.96)
Apps in qualifiers 0
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Djibril SIDIBE
Monaco
Age 25 (29.07.92)
Apps in qualifiers 10
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Samuel UMTITI
Barcelona (Spa)
Age 24 (14.11.93)
Apps in qualifiers 5
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Raphael VARANE
Real Madrid (Spa)
Age 24 (25.04.93)
Apps in qualifiers 7
Goals in qualifiers 0
MIDFIELDERS
● N’Golo KANTE
Chelsea (Eng)
Age 27 (29.03.91)
Apps in qualifiers 7
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Thomas LEMAR
Monaco
Age 22 (12.11.95)
1930 Group stage 1962 (did not qualify) 1982 4th place
1934 First round 1966 (did not qualify) 1986 3rd place 2002 Group stage
1938 Quarter-finals 1970 Group stage 1990 (did not qualify) 2006 Runners-up
1954 Group stage 1974 (did not qualify) 1994 (did not qualify) 2010 Group stage
1958 3rd place 1978 Group stage 1998 WINNERS 2014 Quarter-finals
● Griezmann
● Mbappe
● Dembele
Apps in qualifiers 4
Goals in qualifiers 2
● Blaise MATUIDI
Juventus (Ita)
Age 31 (09.04.87)
Apps in qualifiers 7
Goals in qualifiers 1
● Paul POGBA
Manchester United (Eng)
Age 25 (15.03.93)
Apps in qualifiers 7
Goals in qualifiers 2
● Adrien RABIOT
Paris Saint-Germain
Age 23 (03.04.95)
Apps in qualifiers 2
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Corentin TOLISSO
Bayern Munich (Ger)
Age 23 (03.08.94)
Apps in qualifiers 2
Goals in qualifiers 0
FORWARDS
● Wissam BEN
YEDDER
Sevilla (Spa)
Age 27 (12.08.90)
Apps in qualifiers 0
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Ousmane DEMBELE
Barcelona (Spa)
Age 20 (15.05.97)
Apps in qualifiers 2
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Olivier GIROUD
Chelsea (Eng)
Age 31 (30.09.86)
Apps in qualifiers 8
PROFILE: KYLIAN MBAPPE
Goals in qualifiers 4
● Antoine
GRIEZMANN
Atletico Madrid (Spa) France have the most exciting set of youngsters signing Neymar and often out-shining his more
Age 27 (21.03.91) at this summer’s World Cup, with the likes of illustrious team-mate as PSG have swept all before
Apps in qualifiers 10 Paul Pogba, Ousmane Dembele, Thomas Lemar them domestically.
Goals in qualifiers 4 and Corentin Tolisso all starring for major European Comparisons have been made by many pundits
● Kylian MBAPPE clubs. And the biggest talent of all, Kylian Mbappe, between Mbappe and another former Monaco
Paris Saint-Germain is only 19 years old. teenager: Thierry Henry, the star of France’s
Age 19 (20.12.98) In the space of 12 months he has exploded on to European Championship triumph in 2000.
Apps in qualifiers 6 the global football stage, starring in Monaco’s run to “Mbappe has similarities to Thierry Henry,” agrees
Goals in qualifiers 1 the Champions League semi-final and winning the Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger. “He is a huge talent.”
French league last season, and then joining Paris Henry, meanwhile, is reluctant to make the
● Florian THAUVIN
Marseille Saint-Germain in what was reported to be the comparison. “I don’t like comparing players –
Age 25 (26.01.93) second-most expensive transfer of all time. Mbappe has to become Mbappe and that is all,”
Apps in qualifiers 0 In Paris, Mbappe has proved that he is no one- says Henry. “But my word, he is good. Ooh la la.
Goals in qualifiers 0 season wonder, playing alongside world-record l really like watching him play.”
WORLD CUP 2018 81
GERMANY
THE SCHEDULE
GROUP F
June 17 v Mexico (Moscow Luzhniki)
June 23 v Sweden (Sochi)
June 27 v South Korea (Kazan)
THE BETTING
9/2 to win the World Cup
3/10 to win Group F
THE QUESTIONS
How predictable will Germany’s squad be?
Anything but. Joachim Low has never had a deeper
pool of talent at his disposal and hard choices will
have to be made. He used 37 players in qualifying
– and in the wake of recent German triumphs at the
Confederations Cup and Euro Under-21s he has even
more candidates to sift through.
Who could pay the price for a lack of playing
time at club level?
Low has to be concerned that a number of his squad
are either bench fodder or struggling with injuries,
not least keeper Kevin Trapp and midfielder Julian
Draxler at PSG, Dortmund wide-man Andre Schurrle
and Juventus’ Benedikt Howedes. Dortmund winger
Marco Reus has only just returned from a cruciate
knee ligament injury .
Does Low have a full-back problem?
There is no real alternative to Joshua Kimmich at
right-back and there is cause for concern on the
other flank too as the usual incumbent, Jonas Hector
82 WORLD CUP 2018
– who has been troubled by an ankle problem this THE COACH
season – has his limitations. RB Leipzig’s Marcel ● Joachim LOW
Halstenberg, who made his debut against England at The 58-year-old was appointed
Wembley in November, has been ruled out for the in July 2006, is under contract
rest of the season after damaging knee ligaments. until 2020 and is currently Europe’s
longest-serving national coach. “Jogi” has done a
False nine or target man? remarkable job as Bundestrainer, steering his side to
Low has options, with either Sandro Wagner or Mario the world title in 2014 and countless near-misses in
Gomez as a traditional centre-forward, or Timo other tournaments.
Werner, Lars Stindl or Mario Gotze as the crafty
freewheeler. Nor is a strike duo out of the question. THE KEY PLAYERS
MIdfield ace Toni Kroos sets the strategic tone, while
centre-back Mats Hummels provides immaculate
leadership. Joshua Kimmich was Germany’s only
ever present on the road to Russia. Keeper Manuel
Neuer sat out the bulk of the campaign with a
broken foot but should be back in time.
ONES TO WATCH
Germany have discovered yet another ace schemer
in Leon Goretzka. Striker Timo Werner made an
immediate impact on the side, netting three goals in
just two starts in qualifying.
STAR MAN
● Toni KROOS operator who coaches can
With his 20/20 vision, always rely upon. After four
exceptional distribution and icy seasons in Madrid, Kroos is
composure, the Real Madrid rumoured to be considering
midfielder is the dependable offers to leave Spain.

WORLD CUP
FINALS HISTORY
THE SQUAD
● Hector
● Hummels
● Neuer ● Kroos
● Boateng
● Gundogan
● Kimmich
GOALKEEPERS
● Bernd LENO
Bayer Leverkusen
Age 26 (04.03.92)
Apps in qualifiers 2
● Manuel NEUER
Bayern Munich
Age 32 (27.03.86)
Apps in qualifiers 3
● Marc-Andre TER
STEGEN
Barcelona (Spa)
Age 25 (30.04.92)
Apps in qualifiers 5
DEFENDERS
● Jerome BOATENG
Bayern Munich
Age 29 (03.09.88)
Apps in qualifiers 3
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Jonas HECTOR
Cologne
Age 27 (27.05.90)
Apps in qualifiers 8
Goals in qualifiers 2
● Mats HUMMELS
Bayern Munich
Age 29 (16.12.88)
Apps in qualifiers 8
Goals in qualifiers 1
● Joshua KIMMICH
Bayern Munich
Age 23 (08.02.95)
Apps in qualifiers 10
Goals in qualifiers 1
● Shkodran MUSTAFI
Arsenal (Eng)
Age 25 (17.12.92)
Apps in qualifiers 3
Goals in qualifiers 1
● Marvin
PLATTENHARDT
Hertha Berlin
Age 26 (26.01.92)
Apps in qualifiers 2
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Antonio RUDIGER
Chelsea (Eng)
Age 25 (03.03.93)
Apps in qualifiers 3
Goals in qualifiers 1
● Niklas SULE
Bayern Munich
Age 22 (03.09.95)
Apps in qualifiers 1
Goals in qualifiers 0
MIDFIELDERS
● Julian DRAXLER
Paris Saint-Germain (Fra)
Age 24 (20.09.93)
Apps in qualifiers 8
Goals in qualifiers 3
1930 (did not enter) 1962 Quarter-finals 1982 Runners-up
1934 Third place 1966 Runners-up 1986 Runners-up 2002 Runners-up
1938 First round 1970 Third place 1990 WINNERS 2006 Third place
1954 WINNERS 1974 WINNERS 1994 Quarter-finals 2010 Third place
1958 Fourth place 1978 Second round 1998 Quarter-finals 2014 WINNERS
● Sane
● Werner
● Ozil
● Muller
● Leon GORETZKA
Schalke
Age 23 (06.02.95)
Apps in qualifiers 5
Goals in qualifiers 3
● Ilkay GUNDOGAN
Manchester City (Eng)
Age 27 (24.10.90)
Apps in qualifiers 3
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Sami KHEDIRA
Juventus (Ita)
Age 31 (04.04.87)
Apps in qualifiers 6
Goals in qualifiers 2
● Toni KROOS
Real Madrid (Spa)
Age 28 (04.01.90)
Apps in qualifiers 7
Goals in qualifiers 1
● Thomas MULLER
Bayern Munich
Age 28 (13.09.89)
Apps in qualifiers 9
Goals in qualifiers 5
● Mesut OZIL
Arsenal (Eng)
Age 29 (15.10.88)
Apps in qualifiers 6
Goals in qualifiers 1
● Sebastian RUDY
Bayern Munich
Age 28 (28.02.90)
Apps in qualifiers 3
Goals in qualifiers 1
FORWARDS
● Marco REUS
Borussia Dortmund (Ger)
Age 28 (31.05.89)
Apps in qualifiers 0
Goals in qualifiers 0 PROFILE: THOMAS MULLER
● Leroy SANE
Manchester City (Eng) No other country at the 2018 World Cup will have One player who Low will have no hesitation in
as much attacking talent as Germany. The wealth of picking is Thomas Muller. The Bayern Munich all-
Age 22 (11.01.96)
Apps in qualifiers 3 options open to coach Joachim Low was apparent rounder is only 28 but is closing in on 100 caps for
Goals in qualifiers 0 in the World Cup qualifiers when a record 22 his country, having made his senior Germany debut
● Sandro WAGNER different players were on the scoresheet for aged 20. He is also on the verge of making World
Bayern Munich the 10 games played by the Nationalmannshaft. Cup history, having already scored 10 goals for
Age 30 (29.11.87) Last summer Low rested several key players Germany in his two previous World Cup
Apps in qualifiers 3 when he selected his squad for the Confederations appearances in 2010 and 2014.
Goals in qualifiers 5 Cup, while he also avoided selecting several up- After a spell on the sidelines with injury, Muller
● Timo WERNER and-coming youngsters who instead joined up with bounced back with a vengeance in the 2018
the European Under-21 Championship squad. Both qualifiers, scoring five goals and making seven
RB Leipzig
Age 22 (06.03.96) teams won their respective tournaments – leaving others as Germany cruised through to Russia.
Apps in qualifiers 3 Low with major selection dilemmas ahead of this “Muller is a natural talent, never seriously injured
Goals in qualifiers 3 summer’s World Cup. and physically always in good shape,” says Low.
WORLD CUP 2018 83
ICELAND

THE SCHEDULE
GROUP D
June 16 v Argentina (Moscow Spartak)
June 22 v Nigeria (Volgograd
June 26 v Croatia (Rostov-on-Don)
THE BETTING
250/1 to win the World Cup
14/1 to win Group D
THE QUESTIONS
How can such a small nation qualify for the
World Cup?
The recent generation of players is strong, both
physically and mentally, with all of them playing
professionally abroad – although few are with big
teams in strong leagues.
How have Iceland climbed the FIFA ranking list
so quickly?
The transition can be traced back 15 years, to when
the country started building indoor football arenas.
Before then, adverse weather conditions meant
players could not train properly during the winter.
Another reason is a high standard of coaches.
suggest that, at this moment in time, others are not
ready to step up.
Will Heimir Hallgrimsson stick to his tried and
tested 4-4-2 formation?
Iceland usually play 4-4-2 but during the qualifiers
they sometimes used a 4-5-1 set-up, with Gylfi
Sigurdsson in the hole behind a lone striker. In a
friendly last autumn they even experimented with
three centre-backs in a five-man defensive line.
That could possibly be used in the summer.
THE COACH
● Heimir HALLGRIMSSON
A qualified dentist who still runs a
clinic in his native Westmann Islands,
he was appointed assistant to Lars
Lagerback, when the Icelandic Football Federation
hired the Swede as national coach in 2011. Shortly
after failing to qualify for the 2014 World Cup,
Hallgrimsson and Lagerback signed contracts as joint
managers, and when his co-coach called it a day
after Euro 2016, Hallgrimsson became the sole boss.
THE KEY PLAYERS
Captain Aron Gunnarsson is the heart of the team,
with Gylfi Sigurdsson the brains. Centre-backs
Ragnar Sigurdsson and Kari Arnason are an
important pairing. keeper Hannes Halldorsson
is another essential piece in the puzzle.
ONE TO WATCH
PSV winger Albert Gudmundsson, the son of
Iceland’s world-famous commentator Gudmundur
Benediktsson, made his senior debut last year.

Has Iceland got enough strength in depth if key

players get injured?
STAR MAN
If players such as captain Aron Gunnarsson or Gylfi ● Gylfi SIGURDSSON summer, free-kick specialist
Sigurdsson are not available, their replacements Although he is having a very Sigurdsson was Iceland’s top
would not be of the same quality even though quiet start to his Everton scorer during the qualifiers
Iceland has a pretty strong squad of 20 to 25 career follow a big-money and will be the main hope for
players. Experiments in recent friendlies would move from Swansea last goals in Russia.
84 WORLD CUP 2018

WORLD CUP
FINALS HISTORY
THE SQUAD
● Magnusson ● B Bjarnason
● R Sigurdsson
● Halldorsson ● Gunnarsson
● G Sigurdsson
● Arnason
● Saevarsson ● J B Gudmundsson
GOALKEEPERS
● Hannes
HALLDORSSON
Randers (Den)
Age 34 (17.04.84)
Apps in qualifiers 9
● Runar RUNARSSON
Nordsjaelland (Den)
Age 23 (18.02.95)
Apps in qualifiers 0
● Frederik SCHRAM
Roskilde (Den)
Age 23 (19.01.95)
Apps in qualifiers 0
DEFENDERS
● Kari ARNASON
Aberdeen (Sco)
Age 35 (13.10.82)
Apps in qualifiers 9
Goals in qualifiers 2
● Holmar Orn
EYJOLFSSON
Levski Sofia (Bul)
Age 27 (06.08.90)
Apps in qualifiers 0
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Jon FJOLUSON
Norrkoping (Swe)
Age 29 (10.04.89)
Apps in qualifiers 0
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Sverrir Ingi
INGASON
Rostov (Rus)
Age 24 (05.08.93)
Apps in qualifiers 4
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Hordur
MAGNUSSON
Bristol City (Eng)
Age 25 (11.03.93)
Apps in qualifiers 8
Goals in qualifiers 1
● Birkir SAEVARSSON
Valur
Age 33 (11.11.84)
Apps in qualifiers 10
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Ragnar
SIGURDSSON
Rostov (Rus)
Age 31 (19.06.86)
Apps in qualifiers 10
Goals in qualifiers 1
● Ari SKULASON
Lokeren (Blg)
Age 30 (14.05.87)
Apps in qualifiers 5
Goals in qualifiers 0
MIDFIELDERS
● Birkir BJARNASON
Aston Villa (Eng)
Age 29 (27.05.88)
1930 (did not enter) 1962 (did not enter) 1982 (did not qualify)
1934 (did not enter) 1966 (did not enter) 1986 (did not qualify) 2002 (did not qualify)
1938 (did not enter) 1970 (did not enter) 1990 (did not qualify) 2006 (did not qualify)
1954 (did not enter) 1974 (did not qualify) 1994 (did not qualify) 2010 (did not qualify)
1958 (did not qualify) 1978 (did not qualify) 1998 (did not qualify) 2014 (did not qualify)
● Bodvarsson
● Finnbogason
Apps in qualifiers 9
Goals in qualifiers 1
● Theodor
BJARNASON
Elazigspor (Tur)
Age 31 (04.03.87)
Apps in qualifiers 3
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Rurik GISLASON
Sandhausen (Ger)
Age 30 (25.02.88)
Apps in qualifiers 3
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Johann Berg
GUDMUNDSSON
Burnley (Eng)
Age 27 (27.10.90)
Apps in qualifiers 9
Goals in qualifiers 2
● Aron GUNNARSSON
Cardiff City (Eng)
Age 28 (22.04.89)
Apps in qualifiers 9
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Emil
HALLFREDSSON
Udinese (Ita)
Age 33 (29.06.84)
Apps in qualifiers 6
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Gylfi SIGURDSSON
Everton (Eng)
Age 28 (08.09.89)
Apps in qualifiers 10
Goals in qualifiers 4
● Olafur SKULASON
Karabukspor (Tur)
Age 35 (01.01.83)
Apps in qualifiers 3
Goals in qualifiers 0
FORWARDS
● Jon Dadi
BODVARSSON
Reading (Eng)
Age 25 (25.05.92)
Apps in qualifiers 8
Goals in qualifiers 0 PROFILE: JOHANN BERG GUDMUNDSSON
● Alfred
FINNBOGASON
Augsburg (Ger) Iceland were one of the great stories of the 2016 in a £2.5million deal to join newly-promoted
Age 29 (01.02.89) European Championship in France, beating England Burnley, where he has been one of the stars in
Apps in qualifiers 8 in a memorable match in Nice before losing to the push for the Premier League top six by Sean
Goals in qualifiers 3 France in the quarter-finals Dyche’s side this season.
● Albert
A number of the squad were tipped to move His first campaign at Turf Moor proved frustrating,
GUDMUNDSSON
PSV (Hol)
on to bigger clubs, but few actually made the with the winger restricted to 10 league starts and a
Age 20 (15.06.97) move to top-flight European football. Captain Aron further 10 appearances from the bench because of
Apps in qualifiers 0 Gunnarsson stayed at Cardiff City, centre-back injury. This season, though, Gudmundsson has been
Goals in qualifiers 0 Ragnar Sigurdsson joined Fulham – since moving a revelation as Burnley have punched above the
● Bjorn Bergmann to the Russian league – while Birkir Bjarnason left weight to stay above the relegation battle and
SIGUDARSON Swiss champions Basle for Aston Villa. instead challenge for a place in Europe.
Rostov (Rus)
Johann Berg Gudmundsson was one of the few “Johann’s maturing into a very good player,” says
Age 27 (26.02.91)
Apps in qualifiers 6 players from the class of 2016 who did make the Dyche. “His game is improving all round. There’s a
Goals in qualifiers 1 step up, leaving League One side Charlton Athletic lot of good signs.”
WORLD CUP 2018 85
IRAN

THE SCHEDULE
GROUP B
June 15 v Morocco (Saint Petersburg)
June 20 v Spain (Kazan)
June 25 v Portugal (Saransk)
THE BETTING
500/1 to win the World Cup
25/1 to win Group B
THE QUESTIONS
Will Iran be able to score goals?
Despite having such a talented attacker such as
Sardar Azmoun, goals did not exactly flow freely
in qualification. To get out of the group he is going
to need support.
Who will step up when the pressure is on?
Iran has long had powerful midfielders, both
physically and mentally, but the present crop is
younger and more technical. With the team’s stroll
to the World Cup it remains to be seen who will
emerge as a leader when the pressure is really on.
when it comes to organising a team and coming up
with the right tactics. However, he will be pitting his
wits against a higher class of coach and opposition
in Russia.
Will expectations be a problem?
Iran have had talented teams before, such as in
2006, but this is the first time they are widely
accepted as Asia’s best and first time that there
are genuine expectations that they can get to the
knockout stage. It could have an unpredictable effect.
THE COACH
● Carlos QUEIROZ
The 65-year-old Portuguese veteran
has been in place for six years and has
used his vast experience to get the
team where it is today. Has qualified three different
nations for four World Cups: South Africa, Portugal
and now Iran, where he is beloved by fans. This
summer could be his biggest test.
THE KEY PLAYERS
Sardar Azmoun can lay claim to be the best striker
in Asia at the moment, while Reza Ghoochannejhad
has been scoring goals for fun in Holland. Striker
Mehdi Taremi has his critics at home but often pops
up with a goal when needed, and veteran defender
Jalal Hosseini has over a century of appearances
and is still going strong.
ONES TO WATCH
Just 21, Saeid Ezatolahi is being called “the Persian
Pogba” and the Russian-based midfielder has all the
attributes to become a real star.

Will preparation help or hinder?

While Japan and South Korea regularly play some of
the world’s biggest sides, Iran struggle to attract the
same calibre of friendly opposition. Carlos Queiroz
STAR MAN
has openly called upon the national federation to ● Sardar AZMOUN Middle East. A star in Russia
pull out all the stops to get the team ready. Iran’s top scorer in qualifying for Rostov and Rubin Kazan,
with 11 goals, he has long the 23-year-old has been
Can Queiroz’s tactical acumen make a difference? been hailed as the greatest heavily linked with a transfer
The former Real Madrid boss has few peers in Asia talent to come out of the to Liverpool.
86 WORLD CUP 2018
 1974 (did not qualify)
1978 Group stage 2002 (did not qualify)
1990 (did not qualify) 2006 Group stage
WORLD CUP 1994 (did not qualify) 2010 (did not qualify)
FINALS HISTORY 1998 Group stage 2014 Group stage

THE SQUAD
● Shojaei
● Hajsafi
● Taremi
● J Hosseini
● Ansarifard
● Beiranvand
● Azmoun
● Ezatolahi
● Montazeri
● Jahanbakhsh
● Ghafouri

GOALKEEPERS ● Saeid EZATOLAHI

● Alireza Rostov (Rus)
BEIRANVAND Age 21 (01.10.96)
Persepolis Apps in qualifying 13
Age 25 (21.09.92) Goals in qualifying 1
Apps in qualifying 12
● Saman GHODDOS
● Hossein HOSSEINI
Ostersund (Swe)
Esteghlal
Age 25 (30.06.92) Age 24 (06.09.93)
Apps in qualifying 0 Apps in qualifying 0
● Mohammad Goals in qualifying 0
MAZAHERI ● Ehsan HAJSAFI
Zob Ahan Olympiakos (Gre)
Age 28 (18.05.89) Age 28 (25.02.90)
Apps in qualifying 1 Apps in qualifying 13
Goals in qualifying 2
DEFENDERS
● Rouzbeh CHESHMI ● Alireza
Esteghlal JAHANBAKHSH
Age 24 (24.07.93) AZ (Hol)
Apps in qualifying 2 Age 24 (11.08.93)
Goals in qualifying 0 Apps in qualifying 14
● Vouria GHAFOURI Goals in qualifying 2
Esteghlal ● Masoud SHOJAEI
Age 30 (20.09.87) AEK (Gre)
Apps in qualifying 5
Age 33 (09.06.84)
Goals in qualifying 0
Apps in qualifying 7
● Jalal HOSSEINI Goals in qualifying 1
Persepolis
Age 36 (03.02.82) ● Mehdi TORABI
Apps in qualifying 11 Saipa
Goals in qualifying 2 Age 23 (10.09.94)
● Milad MOHAMMADI Apps in qualifying 7
Akhmat Grozny (Rus) Goals in qualifying 1
Age 24 (29.09.93)
Apps in qualifying 10 FORWARDS
Goals in qualifying 0
● Karim ANSARIFARD
● Pejman MONTAZERI Olympiakos (Gre)
Esteghlal
Age 28 (03.04.90)
Age 34 (06.09.83)
Apps in qualifying 10 Apps in qualifying 6
Goals in qualifying 0 Goals in qualifying 1
● Morteza ● Sardar AZMOUN
POURALIGANJI Rubin Kazan (Rus)
Al Sadd (Qat) Age 23 (01.01.95)

PROFILE: ALIREZA JAHANBAKHSH

Age 26 (19.04.92) Apps in qualifying 16
Apps in qualifying 12 Goals in qualifying 11
Goals in qualifying 1
● Reza
● Ramin REZAEIAN
GHOOCHANNEJHAD
Oostende (Blg) Asian teams often struggle at World Cups because term in the Eredivisie and no other player in the
Age 28 (21.03.90) Heerenveen (Hol)
their players lack European experience – but that league has had more shots on target (41 by the
Apps in qualifying 14 Age 30 (20.09.87)
should not be a problem for Iran. Star man Sardar end of February) or more ball possession in the box
Goals in qualifying 1 Apps in qualifying 9
Goals in qualifying 1
Azmoun has played in Russia since 2013, while (158). But what really makes him tick are his
MIDFIELDERS exciting winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh has been one crosses and goals, and no other wide man in the
● Kaveh REZAEI
● Vahid AMIRI of the outstanding performers in the Dutch league Dutch top flight has delivered more (eight assists
Charleroi (Blg)
Persepolis Age 26 (05.04.92)
this season with AZ. and 14 goals).
Age 30 (02.04.88) Apps in qualifying 3 “I want to become Iran’s Johan Cruyff,” he said on His performances in Europe have raised the
Apps in qualifying 17 arriving in Holland in 2013. Whether he will surpass prospect of a move to a bigger club. Brighton &
Goals in qualifying 0
Goals in qualifying 0 former Iranian stars like Ali Daei, Ali Karimi or his Hove Albion tried to sign him in the January transfer
● Omid EBRAHIMI ● Mehdi TAREMI
Al Gharafa (Qat) idol Mehdi Mahdavikia remains to be seen, but the window and there are strong rumours that he could
Esteghlal
Age 25 (18.07.92) 24-year-old is certainly having the best campaign move to the Bundesliga for next season.
Age 30 (16.09.87)
Apps in qualifying 10 Apps in qualifying 16 of his career. A strong World Cup with Iran would help that
Goals in qualifying 0 Goals in qualifying 8 Jahanbakhsh is a vital cog in AZ’s success this move become reality.
WORLD CUP 2018 87
JAPAN

THE SCHEDULE Can Japan defend? THE COACH

GROUP H It’s the same old question that just won’t go away. The ● Akira NISHINO
June 19 v Colombia (Saransk) organisation is there but there are too many covering Previously the Japanese FA’s technical
June 24 v Senegal (Yekaterinburg) errors for success at the very top level. director, the 63-year-old took charge
June 28 v Poland (Volgograd) in April following the shock sacking of
Will Japan turn to youth? Vahid Halilhodzic after poor friendly results against
THE BETTING Several younger players are now making their mark, Mali and Ukraine. Halilhodzic oversaw Japan’s
250/1 to win the World Cup including Kubo and Asano in attack, Ideguchi in successful qualifying campaign but was an abrasive
9/1 to win Group H midfield, defensive midfielder Wataru Endo and character. Nishino is seen as a safe pair of hands.
centre-back Gen Shoji. A lot of other new blood shin
THE QUESTIONS is now coming into the squad. THE KEY PLAYERS
Who are the strikers? Stars Shinji Kagawa, Keisuke Honda, Shinji
The midfield formation varies but new coach Akira Okazaki and Yuto Nagatomo should all be in
Nishino is likely to stick with a three-man front line. Russia, but their playing time has been sharply
Yuya Osako is the first-choice centre-forward but all reduced. Maya Yoshida is a rock at the heart of
three positions are still up for grabs. The likes of Shinji defence. Hotaru Yamaguchi is now the key holding
Okazaki, Takumo Asano, Keisuke Honda, Yuya Kubo, player in midfield, while Eiji Kawashima is back as
Genki Haraguchi, Takashi Inui, Shinzo Koroki and the first choice in goal. Influential captain Makoto
Kenyu Sugimoto are all very much in contention. Hasebe was missing for much of 2017 through injury.

Who will be able to provide the ammunition for ONES TO WATCH

the front three? Forward Shoya Nakajima has been a revelation in
Makoto Hasebe, if fit, but watch out for new faces Portugal this season, on loan at Portimonense.
here, notably Yosuke Ideguchi, a 21-year-old with a
superb long-range shot. Ideguchi set up Japan’s first
goal and cracked in the second in a 2-0 win over
Australia that secured automatic qualification. STAR MAN
Who will keep goal? ● Shinji OKAZAKI stretching defences with his
Eiji Kawashima was back as first choice in the final Leicester City’s energetic hard-running style. The former
qualifiers but former coach Halilhodzic liked to play striker was a key figure in Mainz hit man is the most
mind games and recalled former number on Shusaku his club’s dramatic Premier capped player in the Japanese
Nishikawa to the squad. League victory in 2016, squad, with 110 caps.
88 WORLD CUP 2018

WORLD CUP
FINALS HISTORY
THE SQUAD
● Nagatomo
● Makino ● Hasebe
● Kawashima
● Yoshida ● Yamaguchi
● H Sakai
GOALKEEPERS
● Eiji KAWASHIMA
Metz (Fra)
Age 35 (25.03.83)
Apps in qualifiers 6
● Kosuke NAKAMURA
Kashiwa Reysol
Age 23 (27.02.95)
Apps in qualifiers 0
● Shusaku
NISHIKAWA
Urawa Red Diamonds
Age 31 (18.06.86)
Apps in qualifiers 11
DEFENDERS
● Tomoaki MAKINO
Urawa Red Diamonds
Age 30 (11.05.87)
Apps in qualifiers 3
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Masato MORISHIGE
Tokyo
Age 30 (21.05.87)
Apps in qualifiers 12
Goals in qualifiers 1
● Yuto NAGATOMO
Internazionale (Ita)
Age 31 (12.09.86)
Apps in qualifiers 13
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Gotoku SAKAI
Hamburg (Ger)
Age 27 (14.03.91)
Apps in qualifiers 7
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Hiroki SAKAI
Marseille (Fra)
Age 28 (12.04.90)
Apps in qualifiers 15
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Gen SHOJI
Kashima Antlers
Age 25 (11.12.92)
Apps in qualifiers 3
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Naomichi UEDA
Kashima Antlers
Age 23 (24.10.94)
Apps in qualifiers 0
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Maya YOSHIDA
Southampton (Eng)
Age 29 (24.08.86)
Apps in qualifiers 18
Goals in qualifiers 5
MIDFIELDERS
● Wataru ENDO
Urawa Red Diamonds
Age 25 (09.02.93)
Apps in qualifiers 3
Goals in qualifiers 0
1954 (did not qualify) 1982 (did not qualify)
1962 (did not qualify) 1986 (did not qualify) 2002 Second round
1970 (did not qualify) 1990 (did not qualify) 2006 Group stage
1974 (did not qualify) 1990 (did not qualify) 2010 Second round
1978 (did not qualify) 1998 Group stage 2014 Group stage
● Okazaki
● Osako
● Ideguchi
● Kubo
● Makoto HASEBE
Eintracht Frankfurt
Age 34 (18.01.84)
Apps in qualifiers 13
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Yosuke IDEGUCHI
Leeds United (Eng)
Age 21 (23.08.96)
Apps in qualifiers 3
Goals in qualifiers 1
● Shinji KAGAWA
Borussia Dortmund (Ger)
Age 29 (17.03.89)
Apps in qualifiers 13
Goals in qualifiers 6
● Hotaru YAMAGUCHI
Cerezo Osaka
Age 27 (06.10.90)
Apps in qualifiers 15
Goals in qualifiers 1
FORWARDS
● Genki HARAGUCHI
Hertha Berlin (Ger)
Age 26 (09.05.91)
Apps in qualifiers 18
Goals in qualifiers 5
● Keisuke HONDA
Pachuca (Mex)
Age 31 (13.06.86)
Apps in qualifiers 16
Goals in qualifiers 7
● Takashi INUI
Eibar (Spa)
Age 29 (02.06.86)
Apps in qualifiers 1
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Yuya KUBO
Gent (Blg)
Age 24 (24.12.93)
Apps in qualifiers 6
Goals in qualifiers 2 PROFILE: MAKOTO HASEBE
● Shoya NAKAJIMA
Tokyo Japanese players who signed for European clubs traditional role in defensive midfield.
Age 23 (23.08.94) used to be dismissed as commercial signings “I feel good playing at sweeper because I can
Apps in qualifiers 0 who would be more useful off the pitch – selling help the team with my experience,” says Hasebe.
Goals in qualifiers 0 merchandise for their new clubs – than on it. “You’re under less pressure than in midfield, so you
● Shinji OKAZAKI Makoto Hasebe has helped to smash that have more time on the ball. I’m happy that the
Leicester City (Eng) stereotype into smithereens. The 34-year-old has coach has found this role for me.”
Age 32 (16.04.86) been a regular in the Bundesliga for almost a Hasebe is also a crucial figure in the holding
Apps in qualifiers 15 decade and has become the archetypal model midfield role for Japan and their World Cup
Goals in qualifiers 5 professional for Wolfsburg, Nuremburg and now qualifying campaign stalled badly when he was
● Yuya OSAKO Eintracht Frankfurt. sidelined through injury.
“Hasebe is a one-off and a pro through and “I had a player called Tsuneyasu Miyamoto when I
Cologne (Ger)
Age 27 (18.05.90) through,” said his Bayern Munich-born Eintracht was at Salzburg,” says Kovac. “He was the long-time
Apps in qualifiers 5 coach Niko Kovac, who has deployed the Japan star captain of Japan and an icon in his homeland. I’ve
Goals in qualifiers 0 as a sweeper and at right-back as well as in his told Hasi [Hasebe], ‘Now you’re the icon’.”
WORLD CUP 2018 89
MEXICO

THE SCHEDULE
GROUP F
June 17 v Germany (Moscow Luzhniki)
June 23 v South Korea (Rostov)
June 27 v Sweden (Yekaterinburg)
THE BETTING
100/1 to win the World Cup
11/2 to win Group F
THE QUESTIONS
Where does the team’s biggest weakness lie?
When analysing Mexico’s squad you can find an
abundance of riches in attack, but they remain
vulnerable at the back. El Tri like to keep possession
and dictate the rhythm of games, but they suffer
when put under pressure and attacked. Coach Juan
Carlos Osorio must find a way to balance the team.
How good is Hirving Lozano?
The PSV winger has had a brilliant start in the Dutch
Eredivisie, distributing goals and assists equally, and
Mexican fans will expect him to be the player who
makes a difference in Russia. However, at 22 years
of age, that is a big ask.
Can Mexico compete with the big boys?
Despite his great results in the qualifiers, Osorio is
far from generating unanimity in Mexico. The main
reason is related to two defeats suffered in the
knockout rounds of major tournaments against
high-quality rivals: 7-0 against Chile in the Copa
America and 4-1 against Germany in the
Confederations Cup. Two good results in away
friendlies at Belgium (3-3) and Poland (1-0) have
reassured public opinion a little, but doubts about
the team in important matches persist.
THE COACH
● Juan Carlos OSORIO
The 56-year-old, who was appointed
in October 2015, was assistant to
Stuart Pearce at Manchester City
before starting a coaching career in his native
Colombia and then moving on to Mexico, Brazil and
the United States. He won the Colombian league title
when in charge of Once Caldas and three more with
Atletico Nacional.
THE KEY PLAYERS
Captain Andres Guardado provides calm leadership
in midfield. The same can also be said of Hector
Moreno at the back. Hector Herrera, Jesus Corona
and Miguel Layun have been regulars in recent
years, as has keeper Guillermo Ochoa. Russia 2018
will be a first World Cup for winger Hirving Lozano
who is an exciting new talent.
ONE TO WATCH
American-born midfield talent Jonathan Gonzalez
recently opted to play for Mexico ahead of the USA.

Will Rafa Marquez play in a fifth World Cup at

the age of 39?
STAR MAN
He seemed on track for another finals until a US ● Javier HERNANDEZ with West Ham United,
government report accused him of being a “front Although he has not had the “Chicharito” is his country’s
man” for organised crime. Marquez is now back best of club campaigns this all-time top goalscorer and
home playing for Atlas but has not been called season, battling relegation remains the team’s most
up by Osorio since the incident. from the Premier League recognisable face.
90 WORLD CUP 2018

WORLD CUP
FINALS HISTORY
THE SQUAD
● Layun
● Reyes ● Herrera
● Ochoa
● Moreno
● Guardado
● Salcedo
GOALKEEPERS
● Jesus CORONA
Cruz Azul
Age 37 (28.01.81)
Apps in qualifiers 11
● Guillermo OCHOA
Standard Liege (Blg)
Age 32 (13.07.85)
Apps in qualifiers 8
● Alfredo TALAVERA
Toluca
Age 35 (18.05.82)
Apps in qualifiers 5
DEFENDERS
● Edson ALVAREZ
America
Age 20 (24.10.97)
Apps in qualifiers 2
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Nestor ARAUJO
Santos Laguna
Age 26 (21.08.91)
Apps in qualifiers 6
Goals in qualifiers 1
● Hugo AYALA
Tigres
Age 31 (31.03.87)
Apps in qualifiers 7
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Jesus GALLARDO
Pumas
Age 23 (14.08.94)
Apps in qualifiers 4
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Miguel LAYUN
Porto (Por)
Age 29 (25.06.88)
Apps in qualifiers 12
Goals in qualifiers 1
● Hector MORENO
Real Sociedad (Spa)
Age 30 (17.01.88)
Apps in qualifiers 13
Goals in qualifiers 1
● Diego REYES
Porto (Por)
Age 25 (19.09.92)
Apps in qualifiers 11
Goals in qualifiers 1
● Carlos SALCEDO
Guadalajara
Age 24 (29.09.93)
Apps in qualifiers 6
Goals in qualifiers 0
MIDFIELDERS
● Javier AQUINO
Tigres
Age 28 (11.02.90)
Apps in qualifiers 6
Goals in qualifiers 0
1930 Group stage 1958 Group stage 1978 Group stage 1998 Second round
1934 (did not qualify) 1962 Group stage 1982 (did not qualify) 2002 Second round
1938 (did not enter) 1966 Group stage 1986 Quarter-finals 2006 Second round
1950 Group stage 1970 Quarter-finals 1990 (banned) 2010 Second round
1954 Group stage 1974 (did not qualify) 1994 Second round 2014 Second round
● Lozano
● Hernandez
● G Dos Santos
● Corona
● Giovani DOS
SANTOS
LA Galaxy (USA)
Age 28 (11.05.89)
Apps in qualifiers 6
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Jonathan DOS
SANTOS
LA Galaxy (USA)
Age 27 (26.04.90)
Apps in qualifiers 5
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Marco FABIAN
Eintracht Frankfurt (Ger)
Age 28 (21.07.89)
Apps in qualifiers 4
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Andres GUARDADO
Real Betis (Spa)
Age 31 (28.09.86)
Apps in qualifiers 11
Goals in qualifiers 2
● Hector HERRERA
Porto (Por)
Age 28 (19.04.90)
Apps in qualifiers 15
Goals in qualifiers 2
FORWARDS
● Jesus CORONA
Porto (Por)
Age 25 (06.01.93)
Apps in qualifiers 10
Goals in qualifiers 3
● Javier HERNANDEZ
West Ham United (Eng)
Age 29 (01.06.88)
Apps in qualifiers 11
Goals in qualifiers 3
● Raul JIMENEZ
Benfica (Por)
Age 26 (05.05.91)
Apps in qualifiers 10
Goals in qualifiers 2
PROFILE: ANDRES GUARDADO
● Hirving LOZANO
Traditionally, Mexican players do not travel well in fourth-most capped player of all time and has
PSV (Hol)
Europe. The popularity of the domestic Mexican Pavel Pardo and Gerardo Torrado (both on 146) in
Age 22 (30.07.95)
league means that wages are high and most – even his sights. His target is all-time top appearance-
Apps in qualifiers 8
Goals in qualifiers 4
the top internationals – can afford to play out their holder Claudio Saurez (177 caps).
careers at home. “To be honest, I never think about it,” he said
● Oribe PERALTA
Andres Guardado is one of the exceptions. when asked about the caps record. “I was told
America
Mexico’s captain has played in Europe for more about it and I wasn’t aware I’d played that many
Age 34 (12.01.84)
Apps in qualifiers 5 than a decade, first at Deportivo La Coruna and games. It’s a statistic that motivates me, of course,
Goals in qualifiers 1 Valencia, and then Germany’s Bayer Leverkusen and you can say: ‘How nice that when I retire, I’ll go
● Carlos VELA and PSV in Holland. More recently, he has returned down in history as one of my national team’s most-
Los Angeles (USA) to Spain to star for Real Betis. capped players.’
Age 29 (01.03.89) With 144 international caps yet still only 31 years “But I’m not obsessed with catching those who
Apps in qualifiers 10 of age, Guardado provides calm leadership in are ahead of me. As long as my legs and body
Goals in qualifiers 3 midfield for the national side. He is already Mexico’s allow me, I’ll try to play as many matches as I can.”
WORLD CUP 2018 91
MOROCCO
THE SCHEDULE
GROUP B
June 15 v Iran (Saint Petersburg)
June 20 v Portugal (Moscow Luzhniki)
June 25 v Spain (Kaliningrad)
THE BETTING
300/1 to win the World Cup
16/1 to win Group B
THE QUESTIONS
Will Morocco manage to retain their new-found
unity this summer?
There are many disparate elements in a squad that
has a French-born contingent, a Dutch-born colony
and a few from Morocco itself. It has not always been
harmonious, but a return to the World Cup has been
built on team spirit.
Is Karim El Ahmadi past his sell-by date at
international level?
The former Aston Villa midfielder, who is now 33,
played a major role in the qualifying campaign and
was also integral to Feyenoord winning the Dutch
Eredivisie title last season. However, his legs look
to be growing a little weary and he could struggle
next summer.
Could Herve Renard’s side be a little lightweight
in attack?
At the 2017 African Nations Cup in January, the
gangly Aziz Bouhaddouz – who plays for St Pauli
in the German second division – was the team’s
92 WORLD CUP 2018
target man. He has now lost his starting place – and THE COACH
ever since then Morocco have had little physical ● Herve RENARD
presence in attack. After a limited playing career, the 49-
year-old got his break as Claude Le
Will Renard make more changes to keep the Roy’s assistant with Ghana in 2008
regulars on their toes? and went on to win African Nations Cup titles with
As a man who likes to have an edgy camp, and a Zambia (2012) and Ivory Coast (2015).
coach who tries to keep his players on their toes,
he often springs a surprise with some his selections THE KEY PLAYERS
and handed Amiens defender Oualid El Hajjam a first Juventus defender Mehdi Benatia enjoys the
cap against Uzbekistan in March. highest profile of the Moroccan exports, while the
midfield duo of Mbark Boussoufa and Younes
Belhanda have a star quality that energises the
team. Dutch-born Karim El Ahmadi is the anchor
of the side. Sofiane Boufal has established himself
as a key player and Hakim Ziyech on the wing is a
creative force. Feyenoord’s Sofyan Amrabat has
chosen to play for Morocco over Holland, just as
Ziyech did two years earlier.
ONE TO WATCH
Ayoub El Kaabi was the star of Morocco’s win in the
African Nations Championship for homegrown players.
STAR MAN
● Mehdi BENATIA won league titles in Germany
Morocco’s French-born (with Bayern Munich) and
captain is one of the most Italy (with Juventus). A highly
successful African players in accomplished defender who
European club football, having leads by example.
 1930 (did not enter) 1958 (did not enter) 1978 (did not qualify) 1998 Group stage
1934 (did not enter) 1962 (did not qualify) 1982 (did not qualify) 2002 (did not qualify)
1938 (did not enter) 1966 (did not enter) 1986 Second round 2006 (did not qualify)
WORLD CUP 1950 (did not enter) 1970 Group stage 1990 (did not qualify) 2010 (did not qualify)
FINALS HISTORY 1934 (did not enter) 1974 (did not qualify) 1994 Group stage 2014 (did not qualify)

THE SQUAD
● Mendyl ● Ziyech

● Benatia
● Mohamedi ● Boussoufa ● Boutaib
● Belhanda
● Saiss
● El Ahmadi

● Dirar ● N Amrabat

GOALKEEPERS ● Nordin AMRABAT

● Yassine BOUNOU Watford (Eng)
Girona (Spa) Age 31 (31.03.87)
Age 27 (05.04.91) Apps in qualifiers 6
Apps in qualifiers 0
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Munir MOHAMEDI
Numancia (Spa) ● Sofyan AMRABAT
Age 28 (10.05.89) Feyenoord (Hol)
Apps in qualifiers 8 Age 21 (21.08.96)
● Ahmed Reda Apps in qualifiers 1
TAGNAOUTI Goals in qualifiers 0
Wydad
● Younes BELHANDA
Age 22 (05.04.96)
Galatasaray (Tur)
Apps in qualifiers 0
Age 28 (25.02.90)
DEFENDERS Apps in qualifiers 5
● Badr BANOUN Goals in qualifiers 0
Raja ● Sofiane BOUFAL
Age 24 (30.09.93) Southampton (Eng)
Apps in qualifiers 1
Age 24 (17.09.93)
Goals in qualifiers 0
Apps in qualifiers 1
● Medhi BENATIA
Goals in qualifiers 0
Juventus (Ita)
Age 30 (17.04.88) ● Mbark BOUSSOUFA
Apps in qualifiers 7 Al Jazira (UAE)
Goals in qualifiers 1 Age 33 (15.08.84)
● Manuel DA COSTA Apps in qualifiers 6
Istanbul Basaksehir (Tur) Goals in qualifiers 0
Age 31 (06.05.86)
Apps in qualifiers 2 ● Karim EL AHMADI
Goals in qualifiers 0 Feyenoord (Hol)
● Nabil DIRAR Age 33 (17.01.85)
Fenerbahce (Tur) Apps in qualifiers 5
Age 32 (25.02.86) Goals in qualifiers 0
Apps in qualifiers 4 ● Hakim ZIYECH
Goals in qualifiers 2
Ajax (Hol)
● Oualid EL HAJJAM
Age 25 (19.03.93)
Amiens (Fra)
Age 27 (19.02.91) Apps in qualifiers 6
Apps in qualifiers 0 Goals in qualifiers 3
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Achraf HAKIMI FORWARDS
Real Madrid (Spa) ● Yacine BAMMOU
Age 19 (04.11.98) Nantes (Fra)
Apps in qualifiers 4
Age 26 (11.09.91)

PROFILE: HAKIM ZIYECH

Goals in qualifiers 1
Apps in qualifiers 2
● Hamza MENDYL
Lille (Fra) Goals in qualifiers 1
Age 20 (21.10.97) ● Aziz BOUHADDOUZ
Apps in qualifiers 2 St Pauli (Ger) A number of factors are behind Morocco’s first Renard left him out of his squad for last year’s
Goals in qualifiers 0 Age 31 (29.01.87) World Cup qualification in 20 years. Coach Herve African Nations Cup.
● Romain SAISS Apps in qualifiers 1 Renard has the knack of getting the best from his “I know that a selector never stays in place for
Wolverhampton Goals in qualifiers 0 players, but the biggest factor has been the ability long, so I’ll be patient,” responded Ziyech.
Wanderers (Eng)
● Khalid BOUTAIB of the Moroccan football federation to persuade Since then Ziyech’s form for Ajax has persuaded
Age 28 (26.03.90)
Apps in qualifiers 6 Yeni Malatyaspor players born in Europe to Moroccan families to opt Renard to make him a fixture in the team.
Goals in qualifiers 0 Age 30 (24.04.87) to play for their “mother country”. Ziyech has been one of the most impressive
Apps in qualifiers 4 Winger Hakim Ziyech was born and raised in creative players in the Dutch League over the past
MIDFIELDERS Goals in qualifiers 4 Holland and played for the Dutch at under-18, few seasons. An outstanding total package of
● Youssef AIT ● Ayoub EL KAABI under-19 and under-21 levels before opting to play technical virtuosity, vision, intelligent movement and
BENNASSER his senior international football for Morocco, the substantial goal threat, his decision making is
RS Berkane
Monaco (Fra)
Age 24 (26.06.93) country of his parents. excellent, he is agile and lively, and he has a good
Age 21 (07.07.96)
Apps in qualifiers 2 Apps in qualifiers 0 He made his Morocco debut in 2015 but, much feel for mixing up the styles, knowing exactly when
Goals in qualifiers 0 Goals in qualifiers 0 to the surprise of many Lions of Atlas fans, coach to play it simple and when to take on and beat a man.
WORLD CUP 2018 93
NIGERIA
THE SCHEDULE
GROUP D
June 16 v Croatia (Nizhny Novgorod)
June 22 v Iceland (Volgograd)
June 26 v Argentina (Saint Petersburg)
THE BETTING
150/1 to win the World Cup
9/1 to win Group D
THE QUESTIONS
Could Nigeria go further than any other African
country and reach the semi-finals?
No African team has made the last four at a World
Cup and it has always been supposed that Nigeria,
with its population of some 190million, would be
strong contenders to be the first. This squad,
however, will probably not be the one to do so.
Will Nigeria change their goalkeeper before the
World Cup?
Carl Ikeme’s absence after being diagnosed with
acute leukemia left a void which Ikechuku Ezenwa
did not look capable of filling in the later stages
of qualifying. This could see a return for Vincent
Enyeama, who retired from the national team after
a spat with previous coach Sunday Oliseh.
Will the team be properly prepared?
For the first time at a World Cup finals, Nigeria look
to have a proactive administration. They have already
had a friendly game in Russia, where they beat
Argentina, and they also managed to persuade
94 WORLD CUP 2018
CAF to postpone their 2019 African Nations Cup THE COACH
qualifier in the Seychelles in March so that they could ● Gernot ROHR
get themselves some more testing preparation before Appointed in August 2016 on a two-
their campaign gets under way. year contract, the 64-year-old began
his African coaching career at Etoile
Who could make a late push for inclusion for Sahel and led the national teams of Gabon, Niger
this summer’s squad? and Burkina Faso before his appointment by Nigeria.
Strikers Emmanuel Dennis of Club Brugge and
Midtjylland’s Paul Onuachu are among the top THE KEY PLAYERS
scorers in the league in Belgium and Denmark John Obi Mikel is still the orchestrator in midfield,
this season. playing a more advanced midfield role than he did at
club level. Leon Balogun has not been around long
but he already captains the side and is the defensive
bulwark in a relatively inexperienced back four.
Former Lazio midfielder Ogenyi Onazi sits in front of
the back four.
ONES TO WATCH
Exciting young English-based players Kelechi
Iheanacho and Alex Iwobi are yet to deliver on the
impact that has been expected of them, although
Iwobi did get the goal that ensured qualification as
they beat Zambia.
STAR MAN
● Victor MOSES now employed as a wing-
After three seasons out on back. He proved during the
loan, the one-time winger has qualifying campaign that
successfully re-established Nigeria are a level up on
himself at Chelsea and is their ability when he plays.

WORLD CUP
FINALS HISTORY
THE SQUAD
● Aina
● Troost-Ekong
● Ezenwa ● Onazi
● Balogun ● Ndidi
● Abdullahi
GOALKEEPERS
● Daniel AKPEYI
Chippa United (SAf)
Age 31 (03.08.86)
Apps in qualifiers 1
● Vincent ENYEAMA
Lille (Fra)
Age 35 (29.08.82)
Apps in qualifiers 0
● Ikechukwu
EZENWA
Enyimba
Age 29 (16.10.88)
Apps in qualifiers 4
DEFENDERS
● Shehu ABDULLAHI
Bursaspor (Tur)
Age 25 (12.03.93)
Apps in qualifiers 0
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Ola AINA
Chelsea (Eng)
Age 21 (08.10.96)
Apps in qualifiers 2
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Chidozie AWAZIEM
Porto (Por)
Age 21 (01.01.97)
Apps in qualifiers 0
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Leon BALOGUN
Mainz (Ger)
Age 28 (28.06.89)
Apps in qualifiers 5
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Elderson ECHIEJILE
Cercle Brugge (Blg)
Age 30 (20.01.88)
Apps in qualifiers 7
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Stephen EZE
Lokomotiv Plovdiv (Bul)
Age 24 (08.03.94)
Apps in qualifiers 0
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Kenneth OMERUO
Chelsea (Eng)
Age 24 (17.10.93)
Apps in qualifiers 2
Goals in qualifiers 0
● William TROOST-
EKONG
Bursaspor (Tur)
Age 24 (01.09.93)
Apps in qualifiers 6
Goals in qualifiers 0
MIDFIELDERS
● Oghenekaro ETEBO
Feirense (Por)
Age 22 (09.11.95)
Apps in qualifiers 3
Goals in qualifiers 0
1930 (did not enter) 1958 (did not enter) 1978 (did not qualify) 1998 Second round
1934 (did not enter) 1962 (did not qualify) 1982 (did not qualify) 2002 Group stage
1938 (did not enter) 1966 (did not qualify) 1986 (did not qualify) 2006 (did not qualify)
1950 (did not enter) 1970 (did not qualify) 1990 (did not qualify) 2010 Group stage
1954 (did not enter) 1974 (did not qualify) 1994 Second round 2014 Second round
● Iwobi
● Ighalo
● Mikel
● Moses
l John Obi MIKEL
Tianjin TEDA (Chn)
Age 30 (22.04.87)
Apps in qualifiers 6
Goals in qualifiers 2
● Wilfred NDIDI
Leicester City (Eng)
Age 21 (16.12.96)
Apps in qualifiers 6
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Joel OBI
Torino (Ita)
Age 26 (22.05.91)
Apps in qualifiers 0
Goals in qualifiers 0
● John OGU
Hapoel Be’er Sheva (Isr)
Age 30 (20.04.88)
Apps in qualifiers 1
Goals in qualifiers 1
● Ogenyi ONAZI
Trabzonspor (Tur)
Age 25 (25.12.92)
Apps in qualifiers 7
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Moses SIMON
Gent (Blg)
Age 22 (12.07.95)
Apps in qualifiers 6
Goals in qualifiers 2
FORWARDS
● Odion IGHALO
Changchun Yatai (Chn)
Age 28 (16.06.89)
Apps in qualifiers 5
Goals in qualifiers 1
● Kelechi IHEANACHO
Leicester City (Eng)
Age 21 (03.10.96)
Apps in qualifiers 6
Goals in qualifiers 2 PROFILE: JON OBI MIKEL
● Alex IWOBI
Arsenal (Eng) For more than a decade, Jon Obi Mikel was Kante. Rohr actually encouraged Mikel to move
a combative defensive midfielder at Chelsea, to China last year because he did not want his
Age 21 (03.05.96)
Apps in qualifiers 4 performing the disciplined duties that enabled the captain and most experienced player – Mikel has
Goals in qualifiers 2 club’s attacking stars to do what they did best. Yet more than 80 caps – to be languishing on the
● Victor MOSES with Nigeria, Mikel takes on a different role as the sidelines at Chelsea. Rohr said at the time: “He
Chelsea (Eng) team’s main creative midfielder. cannot stay in a club he is not playing. So he has
Age 27 (12.12.90) Mikel may have traded the Premier League for to move.”
Apps in qualifiers 4 the Chinese League, following last January’s move The player himself admits: “I could easily have
Goals in qualifiers 3 to Tianjin Teda, but he has retained the confidence stayed in Chelsea for the remaining six months of
● Ahmed MUSA of national coach Gernot Rohr who says: “John Obi my contract but it won’t be in the best interest of
Mikel is our uncontested leader.” my nation, as they need me match fit.
Leicester City (Eng)
Age 25 (14.10.92) At Chelsea, Mikel struggled to get first-team “It wasn’t an easy decision to make but I
Apps in qualifiers 6 action after Antonio Conte became manager in seriously need matches to stay fit for Nigeria.
Goals in qualifiers 0 summer 2016, especially with the arrival of N’Golo “Nigerians don’t deserve to miss out.”
WORLD CUP 2018 95
PANAMA
THE SCHEDULE
GROUP G
June 18 v Belgium (Sochi)
June 24 v England (Nizhny Novgorod)
June 28 v Tunisia (Saransk)
THE BETTING
1,000/1 to win the World Cup
20/1 to win Group G
THE QUESTIONS
Will the coach, Hernan Dario Gomez, dare to
make changes?
Of the team that started the decisive match
against Costa Rica, only three – Fidel Escobar,
Edgar Barcenas and Anibal Godoy – were under
29. But while the coach’s commitment to experience
may have paid off against regional opponents, a
lack of pace could be a handicap against more
powerful opposition.
What to do with Felipe Baloy?
For years he has undoubtedly been the best player
in the team and a rock at the heart of the defence.
However, in the last qualifying matches he seemed
to have lost his way a bit, and he had a strong verbal
confrontation with the press after the defeat against
the USA. Relegated to the bench for the Costa Rica
game, it is pertinent to ask whether, at 37, he can
still contribute.
Will the team be able to compete in Russia?
After booking their ticket, the prevalent feeling is that
96 WORLD CUP 2018
the team have done the hard part. The hope now is THE COACH
that they arrive in Russia with sufficient motivation to ● Hernan Dario GOMEZ
pull off an upset like Costa Rica did four years ago. Appointed in February 2014, the
62-year-old Colombian has become
Who will stand out from the new generation? an expert in South American and
If Gomez feels that he needs to make a change, the CONCACAF qualification, having previously booked
younger talents of the team must take a step forward. a ticket with Colombia in 1998 and Ecuador in 2002.
While there are several promising newcomers in and His record in the tournament is less successful,
around the squad, 23-year-old defender Escobar, having been twice eliminated in the first round.
who started against Costa Rica, is the only one close
to breaking into the starting XI. THE KEY PLAYERS
The base of the Panamanian team has been the
same for at least eight years. Goalkeeper Jaime
Penedo, defender Felipe Baloy, midfielders Gabriel
Gomez and Armando Cooper, and strikers Blas
Perez and Luis Tejada form the backbone of a team
that knows each other by heart.
ONES TO WATCH
A 20-year-old striker with Deportivo Fabril, who are
Deportivo La Caruna’s reserve side, Ismael Diaz
could make the squad, along with 21-year-old
midfielder Ricardo Avila of Gent.
STAR MAN
● Roman TORRES that resembles a wrestler
Panama’s captain scored the more than a footballer, he
goal that qualified the team embodies the team virtues of
for the finals. Nicknamed determination and discipline
“Mazinger” because of a body rather than skill.
 1930 (did not enter) 1958 (did not enter) 1978 (did not qualify) 1998 (did not qualify)
1934 (did not enter) 1962 (did not enter) 1982 (did not qualify) 2002 (did not qualify)
1938 (did not enter) 1966 (did not enter) 1986 (did not qualify) 2006 (did not qualify)
WORLD CUP 1950 (did not enter) 1970 (did not enter) 1990 (did not qualify) 2010 (did not qualify)
FINALS HISTORY 1954 (did not enter) 1974 (did not enter) 1994 (did not qualify) 2014 (did not qualify)

THE SQUAD
● Davis
● Cooper
● Escobar
● Gomez
● Penedo
● Perez
● R Torres ● Godoy

● Machado
● Tejada
● Murillo

GOALKEEPERS ● Edgar BARCENAS

● Jose CALDERON
Chorrillo
Age 32 (14.08.85)
Apps in qualifiers 4
● Jaime PENEDO
Dinamo Bucharest (Rom)
Age 36 (26.09.81)
Apps in qualifiers 12
● Alex RODRIGUEZ
San Francisco
Age 27 (05.08.90)
Apps in qualifiers 0
DEFENDERS
● Felipe BALOY
Municipal (Gtm)
Age 37 (24.02.81)
Apps in qualifiers 11
Goals in qualifiers 1
● Harold CUMMINGS
San Jose Earthquakes
(USA)
Age 26 (01.03.92)
Apps in qualifiers 2
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Erick DAVIS
DAC Dunajska Streda
(Slk)
Age 27 (31.03.91)
Apps in qualifiers 4
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Fidel ESCOBAR
Sporting San Miguelito
Age 23 (09.01.95)
Apps in qualifiers 9
Goals in qualifiers 1
● Adolfo MACHADO
Houston Dynamo (USA)
Age 33 (14.02.85)
Apps in qualifiers 12
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Michael Amir
MURILLO
New York Red Bulls (USA)
Arabe Unido
Age 24 (23.10.93)
Apps in qualifiers 11
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Miguel CAMARGO
Universidad San Martin
(Per)
Age 24 (05.09.93)
Apps in qualifiers 1
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Armando COOPER
Universidad de Chile (Chl)
Age 30 (26.11.87)
Apps in qualifiers 14
Goals in qualifiers 1
● Anibal GODOY
San Jose Earthquakes
(USA)
Age 28 (10.02.90)
Apps in qualifiers 14
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Gabriel GOMEZ
Atletico Bucaramanga
(Col)
Age 33 (29.05.84)
Apps in qualifiers 14
Goals in qualifiers 1
● Valentin PIMENTEL
Plaza Amador
Age 26 (30.05.91)
Apps in qualifiers 5
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Alberto QUINTERO
Universitario (Per)
Age 30 (18.12.87)
Apps in qualifiers 15
Goals in qualifiers 0
FORWARDS
● Abdiel ARROYO
Arabe Unido

PROFILE: LUIS TEJADA

Age 22 (15.02.96)
Apps in qualifiers 5
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Luis OVALLE
Olimpia (Hnd)
Age 29 (07.09.88)
Apps in qualifiers 11
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Roman TORRES
Seattle Sounders (USA)
Age 32 (20.03.86)
Apps in qualifiers 9
Goals in qualifiers 2
MIDFIELDERS
● Ricardo AVILA
Gent (Blg)
Age 21 (04.01.97)
Apps in qualifiers 0
Goals in qualifiers 0
Age 24 (12.12.93)
Apps in qualifiers 8
Goals in qualifiers 2
● Blas PEREZ
Municipal (Gtm)
Age 37 (13.03.81)
Apps in qualifiers 13
Goals in qualifiers 1
● Luis TEJADA
Sport Boys (Per)
Age 36 (28.03.82)
Apps in qualifiers 10
Goals in qualifiers 2
● Gabriel TORRES
Huachipato (Chl)
Age 29 (31.10.88)
Apps in qualifiers 11
Goals in qualifiers 3
Luis Tejada is typical of so many of the Panama
squad that will go to Russia this summer. Tejada
has played more than 100 times for his country
but his club career has been patchy and disjointed,
with time spent at clubs in Peru, Colombia and
Mexico, as well as a brief spells in MLS and in the
United Arab Emirates, without ever getting a chance
in Europe.
Of the current squad, only keeper Jaime Penedo,
full-back Erick Davis and the inexperienced Ricardo
Avila play for clubs in Europe. But the trio play in
Romania, Slovakia and Belgium respectively, rather
than any of the continent’s top leagues. The rest
of their team-mates are spread around North,
South and Central America – in Peru, Guatemala,
Chile, Costa Rica, Colombia, Honduras and the
United States.
Tejada, nicknamed “El Matador”, looked like he
had made a breakthrough in 2005 when he was
named the best player of the CONCACAF Gold Cup
as Panama lost to the United States in the Final.
But he could not reproduce his international form
for UAE club Al Ain and returned to Panama after
just a few months.
Despite his chequered club career, he has been
a mainstay of the Panama national side, with his 43
goals in 104 internationals making him Panama’s
all-time top scorer.
WORLD CUP 2018 97
PERU

THE SCHEDULE Can they defend in the air? THE COACH

GROUP C Physically imposing centre-forwards are likely to ● Ricardo GARECA
June 16 v Denmark (Saransk) cause problems, with big New Zealand striker Chris The 60-year-old Argentinian took over
June 21 v France (Yekaterinburg) Wood causing panic in the play-offs. from Pablo Bengoechea in February
June 26 v Australia (Sochi) 2015 and his greatest virtue has been
Are they short of genuine quality? an ability to bring calm to an environment prone to
THE BETTING In 20 qualifying games there were just two victories despair. He has identified a young group of players
200/1 to win the World Cup by a margin bigger than one goal – the clinching 2-0 with potential and stuck by them until poor results
9/1 to win Group C win over New Zealand and a shock 4-1 triumph in turned to good ones.
Paraguay. Most wins, and many draws, appeared to
THE QUESTIONS be achieved with the team operating at its limit. THE KEY PLAYERS
How will the return of skipper Paolo Guerrero Edison Flores is a versatile performer, while Paolo
boost the team? Guerrero is the most experience member of the
Peru’s centre-forward, all-time top scorer and only squad. Pedro Gallese was impressive when called
world-class player missed November’s play-offs after upon and signals the end of the days when Peru
failing a drugs test. But while his initial one-year ban needs to nationalise Argentinian goalkeepers. Veteran
was halved, freeing him to play in Russia, there are striker Jefferson Farfan stepped up well to cover
fears that he will lack match fitness. the absence of Guerrero in the play-offs.

Will 39-year-old Claudio Pizarro be recalled? ONE TO WATCH

With the uncertainty over Guerrero following his Holding midfielder Renato Tapia made his senior
drugs ban, and with no other proven target man to bow in Gareca’s first game in charge and grew in
play up front, Peru may be tempted to recall their stature during the campaign.
former captain, who was on standby for the play-off
second leg against New Zealand.

Will the squad’s lack of World Cup experience

tell in Russia?
STAR MAN
None of the current squad were born the last time ● Paolo GUERRERO play-offs after failing a drugs
Peru played at a finals. In the past, several Latin Captain and centre-forward, test, though the Brazil-based
American teams with limited experience in this Guerrero is his country’s all- forward insists he did not take
situation have been overawed, starting slowly and time record goalscorer but sat cocaine, claiming he was “a
then waiting until it was too late to show their best. out the World Cup qualifying victim of injustice”.
98 WORLD CUP 2018
 1930 Group stage 1962 (did not qualify) 1982 Group stage
1934 (did not enter) 1966 (did not qualify) 1986 (did not qualify) 2002 (did not qualify)
1938 (did not enter) 1970 Quarter-finals 1990 (did not qualify) 2006 (did not qualify)
WORLD CUP 1950 (did not enter) 1974 (did not qualify) 1994 (did not qualify) 2010 (did not qualify)
FINALS HISTORY 1954 (did not enter) 1978 Second round 1998 (did not qualify) 2014 (did not qualify)

THE SQUAD
● Trauco
● Flores
● Rodriguez
● Gallese ● Yotun
● Cueva
● Guerrero
● Tapia
● Ramos

● Carillo
● Advincula

GOALKEEPERS ● Andre CARRILLO

● Carlos CACEDA Benfica (Por)
Deportivo Municipal Age 26 (14.06.91)
Age 26 (17.09.91) Apps in qualifiers 11
Apps in qualifiers 2
Goals in qualifiers 1
● Jose CARVALLO
UTC
● Christian CUEVA
Age 32 (01.03.86) Sao Paulo (Bra)
Apps in qualifiers 0 Age 26 (23.11.91)
● Pedro GALLESE Apps in qualifiers 18
Veracruz (Mex) Goals in qualifiers 4
Age 28 (23.02.90) ● Edison FLORES
Apps in qualifiers 16 AaB (Den)
Age 23 (15.05.94)
DEFENDERS
Apps in qualifiers 14
● Luis ABRAM
Goals in qualifiers 5
Velez Sarsfield (Arg)
Age 22 (27.02.96) ● Paolo HURTADO
Apps in qualifiers 2 Guimaraes (Por)
Goals in qualifiers 0 Age 27 (27.07.90)
● Luis ADVINCULA Apps in qualifiers 7
Tigres (Mex) Goals in qualifiers 1
Age 28 (02.03.90)
● Sergio PENA
Apps in qualifiers 9
Goals in qualifiers 0 Granada (Spa)
● Miguel ARAUJO Age 22 (28.09.95)
Alianza Lima Apps in qualifiers 3
Age 23 (24.10.94) Goals in qualifiers 0
Apps in qualifiers 4 ● Renato TAPIA
Goals in qualifiers 0 Feyenoord (Hol)
● Aldo CORZO Age 22 (28.07.95)
Universitario Apps in qualifiers 16
Age 28 (20.05.89)
Goals in qualifiers 1
Apps in qualifiers 12
Goals in qualifiers 0 ● Yoshimar YOTUN
● Christian RAMOS Orlando City (USA)
Veracruz (Mex) Age 28 (07.04.90)
Age 29 (04.11.98) Apps in qualifiers 15
Apps in qualifiers 13 Goals in qualifiers 0
Goals in qualifiers 2
● Alberto FORWARDS
RODRIGUEZ
Atletico Junior (Col)
● Jefferson FARFAN
Age 34 (31.03.84) Lokomotiv Moscow (Rus)
Apps in qualifiers 13 Age 33 (26.10.84)
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Anderson
SANTAMARIA
Apps in qualifiers 8
Goals in qualifiers 4 PROFILE: EDISON FLORES
● Paolo GUERRERO
Puebla (Mex) Flamengo (Bra) Unlike the other South American sides at the finals, midfielder has been one of the stars of the Danish
Age 26 (10.01.92) whose star players all earn their living in Europe’s league for the past two seasons, establishing
Age 34 (01.01.84)
Apps in qualifiers 1
Apps in qualifiers 17 top leagues, few of Peru’s players have experience himself in the AaB side and attracting interest from
Goals in qualifiers 0
Goals in qualifiers 5 of playing outside of their own region. a number of clubs in bigger, wealthier leagues.
● Miguel TRAUCO
Flamengo (Bra) ● Andy POLO There are some exceptions. Captain and talisman Flores – who is affectionate nickname “Oreja”
Age 25 (25.08.92) Morelia (Mex) Paolo Guerrero is back in South America after a (big ears) needs little explanation – was also the
Apps in qualifiers 13 Age 23 (29.09.94) decade in Germany. Jefferson Farfan starred for big success story of Peru’s qualifying campaign.
Goals in qualifiers 0 Apps in qualifiers 9 PSV and Schalke before his current spell at He finished as the side’s joint-top scorer with five
Goals in qualifiers 0 Lokomotiv Moscow. And Andre Carillo was a regular goals, including a fine strike against Ecuador which
MIDFIELDERS
● Raul RUIDIAZ in Portugal for Sporting and Benfica before a switch put Peru on the verge of qualification with two
● Pedro AQUINO on loan to Watford last year. games remaining.
Monterrey (Mex) Morelia (Mex)
Age 27 (25.07.90) Now Edison Flores has joined the small band of He was most influential on the left wing but also
Age 23 (13.04.95)
Apps in qualifiers 8 Apps in qualifiers 12 Europe-based Peruvians – albeit at the unlikely proved highly effective when cutting inside and
Goals in qualifiers 0 Goals in qualifiers 1 outpost of AaB in Aalborg. The Lima-born attacking finding space behind the main strikers.
WORLD CUP 2018 99
POLAND

THE SCHEDULE Are there likely to be any late additions to the THE COACH
GROUP H squad for Russia? ● Adam NAWALKA
June 19 v Senegal (Moscow Spartak) After the last qualifying game, against Macedonia, Appointed in October 2013 and on
June 24 v Colombia (Kazan) Lewandowski said “the team needs new blood”. But, a contract until the end of the finals.
June 28 v Japan (Volgograd) despite the coaching staff regularly monitoring a few Leo Beenhakker’s assistant for a year
dozen potential candidates, there is a big problem when the national team qualified for Euro 2008, his
THE BETTING with finding real replacements who are ready to biggest solo successes have been winning the Polish
50/1 to win the World Cup play at international level. One of the stars of the title with Wisla Krakow and guiding the national side
6/4 to win Group H domestic league, Taras Romanczuk impressed on to the knockout stage of Euro 2016. A former
his debut in March but the squad’s lack of depth midfielder, he played for Poland at the 1978 finals.
THE QUESTIONS may be the team’s biggest problem.
Who replaces Robert Lewandowski if he gets THE KEY PLAYERS
injured during the finals? Poland are heavily reliant on Robert Lewandowski
Quite simply, there is no such player. The Bayern for goals. Kamil Glik a rock at the heart of the
Munich striker was out with a muscle injury in defence, while right-back Lukasz Piszczek showed
October but this was later found to be due to his potential in attack by scoring the winner against
exhaustion. Poland will need him fully fit in Montenegro in March 2017. Playmaker Piotr
Russia after he scored 16 goals in qualifying. Zielinski has become a key performer for the team.

Who will play at left-back? ONE TO WATCH

Like his predecessors as coach, Adam Nawalka is still Napoli attacker Arkadiusz Milik missed much of the
looking for a natural left-footed player for what has qualifying campaign through injury but will be useful
been a problem position for some time. The likeliest addition to the squad in Russia.
candidate at the moment would seem to be
Sampdoria’s right-back Bartosz Bereszynski.

Will Nawalka introduce a new playing system?

Instead of going with his favoured 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2
STAR MAN
set-up, he tried out a new 3-5-2 formation in ● Robert LEWANDOWSKI not been angling for a move
November’s friendlies against Uruguay and Mexico The Bayern Munich striker away from the Bundesliga,
and a 3-4-3 set-up against Nigeria in March. It is, confirmed his world-class he has been heavily linked
however, too early to say whether he will use either ability as Europe’s top scorer with a summer transfer to
of these systems in Russia. in qualifying. Although he has Real Madrid.
100 WORLD CUP 2018
 1934 (did not qualify) 1962 (did not qualify) 1982 Third place
1938 First round 1966 (did not qualify) 1986 Second round 2002 Group stage
1950 (did not enter) 1970 (did not qualify) 1990 (did not qualify) 2006 Group stage
WORLD CUP 1954 (did not enter) 1974 Third place 1994 (did not qualify) 2010 (did not qualify)
FINALS HISTORY 1958 (did not qualify) 1978 Second round 1998 (did not qualify) 2014 (did not qualify)

THE SQUAD
● Bereszynski
● Grosicki

● Glik
● Szczesny ● Maczynski ● Lewandowski
● Zielinski
● Pazdan ● Krychowiak

● Blaszczykowski
● Piszczek

GOALKEEPERS ● Kamil GROSICKI

● Lukasz FABIANSKI
Swansea City (Eng)
Age 33 (18.04.85)
Apps in qualifiers 9
● Lukasz SKORUPSKI
Roma (Ita)
Age 26 (05.05.91)
Apps in qualifiers 0
● Wojciech SZCZESNY
Juventus (Ita)
Age 28 (18.04.90)
Apps in qualifiers 1
DEFENDERS
● Bartosz
BERESZYNSKI
Sampdoria (Ita)
Age 25 (12.07.92)
Apps in qualifiers 2
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Thiago CIONEK
SPAL (Ita)
Age 32 (21.04.86)
Apps in qualifiers 5
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Kamil GLIK
Monaco (Fra)
Age 30 (03.02.88)
Apps in qualifiers 9
Goals in qualifiers 1
● Artur
JEDRZEJCZYK
Legia Warsaw
Age 30 (04.11.87)
Apps in qualifiers 6
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Marcin KAMINSKI
Stuttgart (Ger)
Age 26 (15.01.92)
Apps in qualifiers 0
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Michal PAZDAN
Legia Warsaw
Age 30 (21.09.87)
Hull City (Eng)
Age 29 (08.06.88)
Apps in qualifiers 9
Goals in qualifiers 3
● Grzegorz
KRYCHOWIAK
Paris Saint-Germain (Fra)
Age 28 (29.01.90)
Apps in qualifiers 7
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Rafal KURZAWA
Gornik Zabrze
Age 25 (29.01.93)
Apps in qualifiers 0
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Karol LINETTY
Sampdoria (Ita)
Age 23 (02.02.95)
Apps in qualifiers 7
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Krzysztof
MACZYNSKI
Legia Warsaw
Age 30 (23.05.1987)
Apps in qualifiers 7
Goals in qualifiers 1
● Taras ROMANCZUK
Jagiellonia Bialystok
Age 26 (14.11.91)
Apps in qualifiers 0
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Maciej RYBUS
Lokomotiv Moscow (Rus)
Age 28 (19.08.89)
Apps in qualifiers 5
Goals in qualifiers
● Piotr ZIELINSKI
Napoli (Ita)
Age 23 (20.05.94)
Apps in qualifiers 10
Goals in qualifiers 0

PROFILE: PIOTR ZIELINSKI

Apps in qualifiers 7
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Lukasz PISZCZEK
Borussia Dortmund (Ger)
Age 32 (03.06.85)
Apps in qualifiers 7
Goals in qualifiers 1
MIDFIELDERS
● Jakub
BLASZCZYKOWSKI
Wolfsburg (Ger)
Age 32 (14.12.85)
Apps in qualifiers 10
Goals in qualifiers 1
● Jacek GORALSKI
Ludogorets (Bul)
Age 25 (21.09.92)
Apps in qualifiers 0
Goals in qualifiers 0
FORWARDS
● Dawid KOWNACKI
Sampdoria (Ita)
Age 21 (14.03.97)
Apps in qualifiers 0
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Robert
LEWANDOWSKI
Bayern Munich (Ger)
Age 29 (21.08.88)
Apps in qualifiers 10
Goals in qualifiers 16
● Arkadiusz MILIK
Napoli (Ita)
Age 24 (28.02.94)
Apps in qualifiers 5
Goals in qualifiers 1
While Poland are pinning their World Cup hopes on
Napoli midfielder Piotr Zielinski, not everybody will
be feeling the same way about a player who has
enjoyed a brilliant season in Italy’s Serie A
Liverpool will be hoping that Zielinski does not
carry his club form for Napoli into the World Cup.
The Premier League club had an £11.5million bid
rejected when he was with Udinese and they are
widely tipped to return with an increased offer.
If he performs well for Poland in Russia this
summer, his price will continue to rise. One Italian
newspaper, Corriere dello Sport, has already
reported that Napoli will be asking potential buyers
for a fee in the region of £57m.
Zielinski’s playmaking talents have been well
know in Poland for some time. “Zielinski already has
more quality than De Bruyne,” Polish FA president
Zbigniew Boniek has said.
Zielinski first came to wider attention in 2015
while at Empoli, on loan from Udinese. Napoli
swooped and gazumped Liverpool with a £14m bid
in 2016 and he has played a crucial role in their
title challenge this season.
He was an ever-present in the qualifying
campaign, providing the supply line to Robert
Lewandowski, as Poland finished as the joint-
top scorers in Europe, along with reigning world
champions Germany.
WORLD CUP 2018 101
PORTUGAL
THE SCHEDULE
GROUP B
June 15 v Spain (Sochi)
June 20 v Morocco (Moscow Luzhniki)
June 25 v Iran (Saransk)
THE BETTING
25/1 to win the World Cup
2/1 to win Group B
THE QUESTIONS
Have enough of the side had sufficient playing
time this term?
While the current crop of young Portuguese talent
has undoubtedly got potential, few can be considered
regular starters for their club sides. What will time
spent on the bench do for the match fitness and
confidence levels of Andre Silva (Milan), Joao Mario
(on loan at West Ham from Internazionale) and
Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)?
Will a lethal strike force take its qualifying form
to Russia?
For years Portugal struggled to find a reliable
goalscoring centre-forward, but that search looks to
be over as Andre Silva has started his international
career in spectacular fashion. He also has great
chemistry with Cristano Ronaldo, with the pair
sharing 24 goals in qualifying.
How will Fernando Santos use Bernardo Silva?
Silva is widely acknowledged as the biggest talent to
come out of Portugal since Ronaldo, but Santos has
102 WORLD CUP 2018
struggled to get the best out of him. Wide right THE COACH
in a flat and narrow 4-4-2 is his usual position, but ● Fernando SANTOS
many are calling for the coach to implement a Having replaced Paulo Bento, it is now
diamond formation with Silva at the attacking tip. three years at the helm for a man who
can rightly be considered as the best
Can Goncalo Guedes force his way into the side? coach in Portugal’s history. His current contract runs
The 21-year-old has been sensational form on loan until 2020. He previously steered Greece to Euro
at Valencia this season after failing to make an 2012 and the 2014 World Cup.
impact at Paris Saint-German. He adds interesting
options for Santos, either as a left-sided attacking THE KEY PLAYERS
midfielder, a winger or centrally as a support striker. Andre Silva announced himself in style, scoring nine
goals in qualifying and forming a lethal partnership
with Cristiano Ronaldo. Pepe remains the bedrock
of Portugal’s defence, while Ricardo Quaresma and
Joao Moutinho continue to make key contributions.
For all three, Russia will be their final chance of
World Cup glory.
ONE TO WATCH
Napoli full-back Mario Rui made his debut in a
March friendly against Holland. Portugal lost 3-0
but the 26-year-old was one of the few who made
a positive impression and could sneak into the squad.
STAR MAN
● Cristiano RONALDO conserving his energy this
Now 33, Russia 2018 is his season, starring in the
last realistic chance of World Champions League
Cup glory. Portugal’s top but limiting his league
scorer in qualifying has been appearances for Real Madrid.
 1930 (did not enter) 1958 (did not qualify) 1978 (did not qualify) 1998 (did not qualify)
1934 (did not qualify) 1962 (did not qualify) 1982 (did not qualify) 2002 Group stage
1938 (did not qualify) 1966 Third place 1986 Group stage 2006 Fourth place
WORLD CUP 1950 (did not qualify) 1970 (did not qualify) 1990 (did not qualify) 2010 Second round
FINALS HISTORY 1954 (did not qualify) 1974 (did not qualify) 1994 (did not qualify) 2014 Group stage

THE SQUAD
● Guerreiro
● Joao Mario

● Ronaldo
● Pepe ● Carvalho
● Patricio
● Moutinho
● Rolando ● Andre Silva

● Soares ● B Silva

GOALKEEPERS Age 23 (08.09.94)

● BETO Apps in qualifiers 7
Goztepe (Tur) Goals in qualifiers 0
Age 35 (01.06.82)
● JOAO MARIO
Apps in qualifiers 0
Internazionale (Ita)
● Anthony LOPES
Lyon (Fra) Age 25 (19.01.93)
Age 27 (01.10.90) Apps in qualifiers 9
Apps in qualifiers 0 Goals in qualifiers 0
● Rui PATRICIO ● Joao MOUTINHO
Sporting Monaco (Fra)
Age 30 (15.02.88)
Age 31 (08.09.86)
Apps in qualifiers 10
Apps in qualifiers 8
DEFENDERS Goals in qualifiers 1
● Bruno ALVES ● Ruben NEVES
Rangers (Sco) Wolverhampton
Age 36 (27.11.81)
Wanderers (Eng)
Apps in qualifiers 3
Goals in qualifiers 1 Age 21 (13.03.97)
● Fabio COENTRAO Apps in qualifiers 0
Real Madrid (Spa) Goals in qualifiers 0
Age 30 (11.0.3.88) ● Adrien SILVA
Apps in qualifiers 1 Leicester City (Eng)
Goals in qualifiers 0
Age 29 (15.03.89)
● Jose FONTE Apps in qualifiers 1
Dalian Yifang (Chn)
Age 34 (22.12.83) Goals in qualifiers 0
Apps in qualifiers 8 ● Bernardo SILVA
Goals in qualifiers 0 Manchester City (Eng)
● Raphael Age 23 (10.08.94)
GUERREIRO Apps in qualifiers 7
Borussia Dortmund (Ger)
Goals in qualifiers 0
Age 24 (22.12.93)
Apps in qualifiers 5
Goals in qualifiers 0 FORWARDS
● PEPE ● Goncalo GUEDES
Besiktas (Tur) Paris Saint-Germain (Fra)
Age 35 (26.02.83) Age 21 (29.11.96)
Apps in qualifiers 8
Apps in qualifiers 1
Goals in qualifiers 0
Goals in qualifiers 0
● RICARDO
Porto ● Gelson MARTINS
Age 24 (06.10.93) Sporting
Apps in qualifiers 0 Age 22 (11.05.95)
Goals in qualifiers 0
● ROLANDO
Marseille (Fra)
Apps in qualifiers 6
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Ricardo QUARESMA
PROFILE: ANDRE SILVA
Age 32 (31.08.85)
Apps in qualifiers 0 Besiktas (Tur) Over the years, Portugal have struggled to find Andre Silva. The 22-year-old notched nine goals in
Goals in qualifiers 0 Age 34 (26.09.83) goalscoring centre-forwards. Talented midfielders the qualifying campaign and earned a transfer last
● Cedric SOARES Apps in qualifiers 9 like Luis Figo and Rui Costa thrilled crowds at summer from Porto to Milan, who paid £35m for
Southampton (Eng) Goals in qualifiers 0 tournaments such as Euro 96 and Euro 2004, but his services.
Age 26 (31.08.91)
Apps in qualifiers 6 ● Cristiano RONALDO Portugal lacked the natural striker to finish the The price tag has weighed heavily on him in his
Goals in qualifiers 0 Real Madrid (Spa) chances created by the midfield maestros. first season in Italy, but since January he has started
Age 33 (05.02.85) Even at Euro 2016, when Portugal triumphed to rediscover the form that persuaded the former
MIDFIELDERS Apps in qualifiers 9 against the odds, they were heavily reliant on wide European champions to pay such a hefty fee. In
● William CARVALHO Goals in qualifiers 15 man Cristiano Ronaldo. Eder, the striker who scored March, he finally opened his account for Milan,
Sporting the winning goal in the Final against France, has “I’m happy that Andre Silva scored his first Serie
● Andre SILVA
Age 26 (07.04.92)
Milan (Ita) since lost form and is preparing to head back to his A goal,” said Milan coach Gennaro Gattuso. “It’s
Apps in qualifiers 8
Goals in qualifiers 2 Age 22 (06.11.95) parent club Lille after a disappointing season on already hard to carry this prestigious jersey, even
● Bruno FERNANDES Apps in qualifiers 10 loan at Lokomotiv Moscow. more so when you are young.”
Sporting Goals in qualifiers 9 But Portugal now have a new goalscoring hero in With Portugal, however, he cannot stop scoring.
WORLD CUP 2018 103
RUSSIA

THE SCHEDULE
GROUP A
June 14 v Saudi Arabia (Moscow Luzhniki)
June 19 v Egypt (Saint Petersburg)
June 25 v Uruguay (Samara)
THE BETTING
50/1 to win the World Cup
7/4 to win Group A
THE QUESTIONS
Will injuries derail Russia’s World Cup?
Key defender Victor Vasin and first-choice striker
Alexander Kokorin, last season’s top scorer in the
Russian league, recently suffered serious knee
injuries, and another important defender Georgi
Dzhikiya faces a race to fit in time for the finals.
Can the new defence cope?
Since Euro 2016, veteran defenders Sergei
Ignashevich, along with Vasili and Alexei Berezutskiy,
have quit international football, forcing coach
Stanislav Cherchesov to totally replace his back
three. Injuries to Vasin and possibly Dzhikiya have
added to his problems.
the defensive midfielder which led to Denisov being
banished to the reserves. Since becoming coach of
the national side, Cherchesov has not considered
calling up Denisov.
Can the domestic league’s top strikers take their
chances in top international games?
With Kokorin injured, the pressure is on the Premier
League’s top scorer in 2016, Fedor Smolov of
Krasnodar, to lead the line this summer. But he
has not shone at international level.
THE COACH
● Stanislav CHERCHESOV
Appointed in August 2016 on a two-
year contract, the former USSR and
Russia goalkeeper is a four-time
winner of the national championship as a player.
He coached Moscow sides Spartak and Dynamo
before moving to Poland in 2015 and leading Legia
Warsaw to the double.
THE KEY PLAYERS
Igor Akinfeev remains the first-choice keeper while
the experienced Alan Dzagoev is also a key figure.
Fedor Smolov is likely to take an important role as
the lone striker.
ONES TO WATCH
Born in Russia, Konstantin Rausch emigrated to
Germany as a boy but after caps at under-21 level
for his adopted homeland the winger opted to play
for Russia. Identical twins Aleksei and Anton
Miranchuk, both of Lokomotiv Moscow, could
feature this summer.

Could Andrei Arshavin be recalled?

The 36-year-old is now at Kairat in Kazakhstan. Good
STAR MAN
recent performance prompted Cherchesov to say he ● Alan DZAGOEV emerged on the international
does not rule out a recall. Although prone to injuries, the stage at Euro 2012 and has
versatile box-to-box midfielder also been a key figure for
Will Igor Denisiov make a comeback? has been Russia’s best player CSKA, where he has won the
As coach of Dynamo, Cherchesov had a run-in with for almost a decade. He Russian league three times.
104 WORLD CUP 2018
 1930
-1990 As Soviet Union
1994 Group stage 2006 (did not qualify)
WORLD CUP 1998 (did not qualify) 2010 (did not qualify)
FINALS HISTORY 2002 Group stage 2014 Group stage

THE SQUAD
● Zhirkov
● Golovin
● Kudryashov

● Akinfeev ● Smolov
● Granat ● Glushakov
● Aleksei
● Rausch Miranchuk
● Dzagoev
● Smolnikov

GOALKEEPERS MIDFIELDERS
● Igor AKINFEEV ● Alan DZAGOEV
CSKA Moscow CSKA Moscow
Age 32 Age 27
(08.04.86)
(17.06.90)
● Vladimir GABULOV
● Denis GLUSHAKOV
Club Brugge (Blg)
Spartak Moscow
Age 34
Age 31
(19.10.83)
(27.01.87)
● Andrey LUNYOV
Zenit ● Aleksandr GOLOVIN
Age 26 CSKA Moscow
(13.11.91) Age 21
(30.05.96)
DEFENDERS ● Daler KUZYAYEV
● Georgi DZHIKIYA Zenit
Spartak Moscow Age 25
Age 24
(15.01.93)
(21.11.93)
● Aleksei
● Mario FERNANDES
MIRANCHUK
CSKA Moscow
Lokomotiv Moscow
Age 27
(19.09.90) Age 22

● Vladimir GRANAT (17.10.95)

Rubin Kazan ● Anton MIRANCHUK
Age 30 Lokomotiv Moscow
(22.05.87) Age 22
● Dmitri KOMBAROV (17.10.95)
Spartak Moscow ● Oleg SHATOV
Age 31
Zenit
(22.01.87)
Age 27
● Fyodor
(29.07.90)
KUDRYASHOV
Rubin Kazan
● Roman ZOBNIN
Age 31 Spartak Moscow
(05.04.87) Age 24
(11.02.94)
● Ilya KUTEPOV
Spartak Moscow
Age 24 FORWARDS
PROFILE: IGOR AKINFEEV
(29.07.93) ● Fyodor SMOLOV Russia coach Stanislav Cherchesov knows a fair bit mistakes, such as the goal conceded to South
● Konstantin RAUSCH Krasnodar about goalkeeping and captaincy. During a playing Korea at the 2014 World Cup, when he fumbled a
Dynamo Moscow Age 28 career in which he starred between the sticks for long-range shot from Lee Keun-ho in a match that
Age 28 Spartak Moscow, he was also the first captain of the Russia should have won. Then, in their final group
(05.02.90)
(15.03.90) newly independent Russia team following the game, Akinfeev conceded an equaliser from an
● Artem DZYUBA break-up of the Soviet Union. Algeria free-kick when a laser was shone in his eyes
● Igor SMOLNIKOV
Zenit So Cherchesov had no hesitation in naming Igor from the stands. The 1-1 draw sent Russia home.
Zenit
Age 29 Akinfeev as Russia’s captain ahead of last summer’s He recently ended an unwanted record by keeping
Age 29
(22.08.88) Confederations Cup, the eight-team tournament a clean sheet for CSKA in the Champions League for
(08.08.88) that acted as trial run for the World Cup. the first time in 11 years – a run of 43 games.
● Yuri ZHIRKOV ● Anton ZABOLOTNY Akinfeev has been Russia’s first-choice keeper Despite the setbacks, he retains the confidence
Zenit Zenit since he made his debut as a precocious 18-year- of Cherchesov and this summer he should collect
Age 34 Age 26 old in 2004. He has retained the confidence of his further caps as he closes in on Sergei Ignashevich’s
(20.08.83) (13.06.91) national bosses despite a series of high-profile national record of 120 appearances.
WORLD CUP 2018 105
SAUDI ARABIA
THE SCHEDULE
GROUP A
June 14 v Russia (Moscow Luzhniki)
June 20 v Uruguay (Rostov)
June 25 v Egypt (Volgograd)
THE BETTING
1,000/1 to win the World Cup
20/1 to win Group A
THE QUESTIONS
What effect will the change of coaches have?
Losing the experienced Dutchman Bert Van Marwijk,
who took his homeland to the 2010 Final and has
since been appointed as coach of Australia, was
huge. Not only did he know the players, they knew
him and his system. Edgardo Bauza, the Argentinian
who replaced Van Marwijk, barely had time to get to
know the squad, but friendly performances against
Portugal and Bulgaria ended with much criticism and
his departure proved that there are few seats as hot
as that of Saudi Arabia’s coach.
Is Osama Hawsawi up to the job?
At 34, the centre-back and captain came into the
team just after the 2006 World Cup, but his ageing
legs have been showing a little of late and there are
concerns as to whether he can last the pace in
Russia this summer.
Can Nawaf Al Abed show his potential?
The Al Hilal man came into his own during
qualification and, at the moment, there are few, if any,
106 WORLD CUP 2018
better playmakers in the whole of Asia. If he can take JUAN COACH
his Asian form on the global stage this could be a ● Juan Antonio PIZZI
good tournament for him. The former Spain striker was the
choice of the Saudi federation to
What about international exposure? replace Argentina’s Edgardo Bauza in
Traditionally, the biggest problem facing the Saudis November’s latest round of musical chairs. Bauza had
has been that they all play at home. In an attempt to only been in charge for a few months when he was
tackle this problem, the Saudi federation agreed a sacked. The 40-year-old Pizza was in charge of Chile
deal with La Liga to loan players, including Fahad Al at last year’s Confederations Cup.
Muwallad, to Spanish clubs for the second half of the
European season. THE KEY PLAYERS
Nawaf Al Abed was cool and composed throughout
the final stage and he scores as well as creates.
When given the opportunity Fahad Al Muwallad is
exciting. Osama Hawsawi has been in the centre of
the defence for a long time – although some feel for
too long. Striker Mohammad Al Sahlawi was the
top scorer in qualifying.
THE ONES TO WATCH
Winger Yahia Al Shehri was one of the players sent
on loan to Spain in the spring, although he had yet to
appear for La Liga side Leganes.
STAR MAN
● Nawaf AL ABED round, scoring five goals,
Al Hilal’s skilful attacking including four penalties. His
schemer stepped up when it calmness under pressure
mattered most in the final earned him the nickname
Asian World Cup qualifying “The Brave One”.
 1958 (did not enter) 1978 (did not qualify) 1998 Group stage
1962 (did not enter) 1982 (did not qualify) 2002 Group stage
1966 (did not enter) 1986 (did not qualify) 2006 Group stage
WORLD CUP 1970 (did not enter) 1990 (did not qualify) 2010 (did not qualify)
FINALS HISTORY 1974 (did not enter) 1994 Second round 2014 (did not qualify)

THE SQUAD
● Al Harbi
● Al Abed
● Al Mogahwi
● Osama Hawsawi
● Abdullah
● Al Faraj ● Al Sahlawi
● M Hawsawi
● Al Jassim
● Al Shahrani ● Al Muwallad

GOALKEEPERS Apps in qualifiers 13

● Waleed ABDULLAH
Al Nassr
Age 32 (19.04.86)
Apps in qualifiers 0
● Yasser AL
MOSAILEM
Al Ahli
Age 34 (27.02.84)
Apps in qualifiers 7
● Mohammed
AL OWAIS
Al Ahli
Age 26 (10.10.91)
Apps in qualifiers 1
DEFENDERS
● Mansoor AL HARBI
Al Ahli
Age 30 (19.10.87)
Apps in qualifiers 8
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Saeed AL
MOWALAD
Al Ahli
Age 27 (09.03.91)
Apps in qualifiers 0
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Yasser AL
SHAHRANI
Al Hilal
Age 25 (25.05.92)
Apps in qualifiers 11
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Motaz HAWSAWI
Al Ahli
Age 26 (17.02.92)
Apps in qualifiers 3
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Omar HAWSAWI
Al Nassr
Age 32 (27.09.85)
Apps in qualifiers 3
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Osama HAWSAWI
Goals in qualifiers 5
● Salem AL DAWSARI
Al Hilal
Age 26 (19.08.91)
Apps in qualifiers 2
Goals in qualifiers 1
● Salman AL FARAJ
Al Hilal
Age 28 (01.08.89)
Apps in qualifiers 17
Goals in qualifiers 1
● Taisir AL JASSIM
Al Ahli
Age 33 (25.07.84)
Apps in qualifiers 18
Goals in qualifiers 6
● Abdulmalek AL
KHAIBRI
Al Hilal
Age 32 (13.03.86)
Apps in qualifiers 17
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Salman AL
MOASHER
Al Ahli
Age 29 (05.10.88)
Apps in qualifiers 10
Goals in qualifiers 1
● Housain AL
MOGAHWI
Al Ahli
Age 30 (28.01.88)
Apps in qualifiers 3
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Fahad AL
MUWALLAD
Al Ittihad
Age 23 (14.09.94)
Apps in qualifiers 12
Goals in qualifiers 4
● Yahya AL SHEHRI
Al Nassr
Age 27 (26.06.90)
Apps in qualifiers 18

PROFILE: FAHAD AL MUWALLAD

Al Hilal
Age 34 (31.03.84)
Apps in qualifiers 18
Goals in qualifiers 2
● Mohammed
JAHFALI
Al Hilal
Age 27 (24.10.90)
Apps in qualifiers 0
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Hassan MUATH
Al Fayha
Age 32 (27.01.86)
Apps in qualifiers 10
Goals in qualifiers 0
MIDFIELDERS
● Nawaf AL ABED
Al Hilal
Age 28 (26.01.90)
Goals in qualifiers 5
● Abdulfattah ASIRI
Al Ahli
Age 24 (26.02.94) Saudi Arabian footballers are notoriously poor has long been seen as one of the rising talents of
Apps in qualifiers 2
travellers. The Saudi government used to Saudi football after breaking through for Al Ittihad
Goals in qualifiers 0
discourage players from moving abroad, insisting in his home city of Jeddah.
FORWARDS that they stay and play in the domestic league. The Unfortunately by April, Al Muwallad had yet to
● Mohammad AL downside of this policy was that, when the Saudis appear for Levante and was growing increasingly
SAHLAWI qualified for the World Cup, they had no experience frustrated with his lack of opportunities.
Al Nassr of top-level international football. “I’ve been here for two-and-a-half months
Age age 31 (10.01.87) It was hoped things would be different this time and learning the Spanish language has been very
Apps in qualifiers 14 after an agreement between the Saudi football difficult,” he says. “I try to connect with them using
Goals in qualifiers 16
federation and La Liga to send Saudi players on English and had I been here since the start of the
● Muhannad ASSIRI loan to Spain. season, things would have been different.
Al Ahli
Leading the way was one of Saudi Arabia’s skilful “Football is different in Spain and I have learnt a
Age 31 (14.10.86)
Apps in qualifiers 0 players, Fahad Al Muwallad, the man dubbed the lot from the training style. Of course it is very hard
Goals in qualifiers 0 ”Saudi Messi”, who joined Levante. The 23-year-old not to play but I’m fighting to make my debut.”
WORLD CUP 2018 107
SENEGAL

THE SCHEDULE Will the team’s physical strength be an THE COACH

GROUP H
June 19 v Poland (Moscow Spartak)
June 24 v Japan (Yekaterinburg)
June 28 v Colombia (Samara)
THE BETTING
150/1 to win World Cup
11/2 to win Group H
THE QUESTIONS
Will striker Sadio Mane’s hamstring hold out
in the finals?
If it does not, it will be a big blow to Senegal.
However, Liverpool have had a physio travelling
with the striker for several recent internationals
in Africa to help him to keep properly in shape.
Can Senegal upset some big names, as they did
in 2002?
They are the one African side with the potential to
shake things up in Russia, in much the same way they
did in Seoul when they beat France before going on
to reach the quarter-finals.
advantage in Russia?
While the pace and finishing prowess of Sadio Mane
is Senegal’s biggest threat, they also scored several
goals from set-pieces in the qualifying campaign and
will look to capitalise on such situations again.
Towering Centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly is a giant
presence at the back, and he and other defenders
will flood the opposition penalty area at every
opportunity to try to capitalise on their height
and strength.
● Aliou CISSE
The 42-year-old took over from Alain
Giresse as coach in March 2015,
having been captain of the team for
Senegal’s previous World Cup appearance in 2002.
After finishing his playing career, which included
spells at Birmingham City and Portsmouth, he went
home to work with the Senegal Football Federation
and was on the staff of the under-23 side that
participated at the men’s football tournament
at the London Olympics.
THE KEY PLAYERS
Stars Sadio Mane and Kalidou Koulibaly are
among the best African players in Europe and are
crucial to the Senegal cause. Idrissa Gueye and
Cheikhou Kouyate are midfielders who provide the
backbone of the team.
ONE TO WATCH
Former French under-21 international Mbaye Niang
has now won three caps for Senegal.

Will any locally based players make Aliou Cisse’s

final squad?
The last time Senegal went to the World Cup, 21 of
STAR MAN
the 23-man squad were based at French clubs, with ● Sadio MANE restricted his appearances
one in Morocco and the other at Dakar-based Jeanne The wide attacker with electric for Senegal in the qualifying
d’Arc. This time the players are spread out across pace has been outstanding in campaign but he played a
Europe, the Middle East and even the USA, but there Liverpool’s run in this season’s talismanic role in the final
are no candidates from the domestic league. Champions League. Injuries game against South Africa.
108 WORLD CUP 2018
 1970 (did not qualify) 1990 (did not enter)
1974 (did not qualify) 1994 (did not qualify)
1978 (did not qualify) 1998 (did not qualify)
WORLD CUP 1982 (did not qualify) 2002 Quarter-finals 2010 (did not qualify)
FINALS HISTORY 1986 (did not qualify) 2006 (did not qualify) 2014 (did not qualify)

THE SQUAD
● Sabaly ● Mane
● Gueye
● Koulibaly
● Diallo ● Sakho
● Kouyate
● Sane
● Niang
● N’doye
● Wague

GOALKEEPERS ● Cheikhou KOUYATE

● Abdoulaye DIALLO West Ham United (Eng)
Rennes (Fra) Age 28 (21.12.89)
Age 26 (30.03.92) Apps in qualifiers 8
Apps in qualifiers 3 Goals in qualifiers 1
● Khadim N’DIAYE ● Alfred N’DIAYE
Horoya (Gui)
Wolverhampton
Age 33 (30.11.84)
Wanderers (Eng)
Apps in qualifiers 4
Age 28 (06.03.90)
● Pape Seydou
N’DIAYE Apps in qualifiers 2
Niarry Tally Goals in qualifiers 0
Age 25 (11.02.93) ● Badou N’DIAYE
Apps in qualifiers 0 Stoke City (Eng)
Age 27 (27.10.90)
DEFENDERS Apps in qualifiers 0
● Fallou DIAGNE Goals in qualifiers 0
Metz (Fra)
● Cheikh N’DOYE
Age 28 (14.08.89)
Birmingham City (Eng)
Apps in qualifiers 0
Age 32 (29.03.86)
Goals in qualifiers 0
Apps in qualifiers 6
● Papy DJILOBODJI
Dijon (Fra) Goals in qualifiers 1
Age 29 (01.12.88) ● Henri SAIVET
Apps in qualifiers 0 Sivasspor (Tur)
Goals in qualifiers 0 Age 27 (26.10.90)
● Lamine GASSAMA Apps in qualifiers 2
Alanyaspor (Tur) Goals in qualifiers 0
Age 28 (20.10.89)
Apps in qualifiers 5 FORWARDS
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Keita BALDE
● Kalidou KOULIBALY Monaco (Fra)
Napoli (Ita)
Age 23 (08.03.95)
Age 26 (20.06.91)
Apps in qualifiers 6 Apps in qualifiers 4
Goals in qualifiers 0 Goals in qualifiers 1
● Youssouf SABALY ● Sadio MANE
Bordeaux (Fra) Liverpool (Eng)
Age 25 (05.03.93) Age 26 (10.04.92)
Apps in qualifiers 2 Apps in qualifiers 8
Goals in qualifiers 0 Goals in qualifiers 2
● Salif SANE ● M’Baye NIANG
Hanover (Ger) Torino (Ita)
Age 27 (25.08.90)
Age 23 (19.012.94)
Apps in qualifiers 5
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Pape SOUARE
Apps in qualifiers 3
Goals in qualifiers 0
PROFILE: KALIDOU KOULIBALY
Crystal Palace (Eng) ● Diafra SAKHO
Rennes (Fra) Senegal have an abundance of attacking quality made him an obvious target for a host of Premier
Age 27 (06.06.90)
Apps in qualifiers 0 Age 28 (24.12.89) - from the likes of Sadio Mane, Keita Balde, Diafro League clubs, including Chelsea, Arsenal and
Goals in qualifiers 0 Apps in qualifiers 2 Sakho and M’Baye Niang to players such as Oumar Everton. However, Napoli are desperate to keep him
● Moussa WAGUE Goals in qualifiers 2 Niasse and Mame Biram Diouf, who are unlikely to and are prepared to offer him an improved contract.
Eupen (Blg) ● Ismaila SARR make the World Cup squad. “For my family and the fans, and if the contract
Age 19 (04.10.98) Rennes (Fra) But arguably their most important player is a was good, I wouldn’t have a problem signing and
Apps in qualifiers 4 Age 20 (25.02.98) defender. Kalidou Koulibaly has been one of the staying forever,” says Koulibaly. “I am really happy
Goals in qualifiers 0 outstanding performers in Italy’s Serie A in recent at Napoli. The city and the team have given me
Apps in qualifiers 2
Goals in qualifiers 1 years. everything. I want to give back to the Neapolitans;
MIDFIELDERS
● Moussa SOW Physically imposing – he stands at 6ft 5in tall – I want to give them the Scudetto.
● Idrissa GUEYE and with a delicate touch, Koulibaly has been at the “I’ve grown a lot so far. When I first came to Italy
Everton (Eng) Bursaspor (Tur)
Age 28 (26.09.89) Age 32 (19.01.86) heart of a Napoli defence which has been one of I needed a year to adapt, and that was not easy.
Apps in qualifiers 8 Apps in qualifiers 4 the tightest in Italy. Back then I told myself that I deserved this great
Goals in qualifiers 0 Goals in qualifiers 1 Koulibaly’s physical and footballing qualities have team. I started to work hard.”
WORLD CUP 2018 109
SERBIA

THE SCHEDULE
GROUP E
June 17 v Costa Rica (Samara)
June 22 v Switzerland (Kaliningrad)
June 27 v Brazil (Moscow Spartak)
THE BETTING
150/1 to win the World Cup
9/1 to win Group E
THE QUESTIONS
Who will score the goals if Aleksandar Mitrovic
is injured?
Serbia’s first-choice striker moved to Championship
club Fulham on loan from Newcastle United in
January in a bid to be ready in time for the World
Cup. Aleksandar Prijovic scored the winning goal
against Georgia but he is still a newcomer in this
team, while Andrija Pavlovic would probably be
punching above his weight.
Can the defence become more solid?
Ignoring the games against an inferior Moldova side,
Serbia conceded 10 goals in eight games – almost all
of which came after defensive errors.
Can Serbia overcome the mental blocks of their
teams in the past?
The fear is that the big stage will prove too much for
Serbia once again this summer. If they want to enjoy
a good World Cup they must avoid freezing when it
matters most.
Is Krstajic the right man for the job?
Serbia’s recently appointed boss was assistant to
former national coach Slavoljub Muslin but has no
previous experience as a top-level manager.
THE COACH
● Mladen KRSTAJIC
Assistant coach who was promoted to
caretaker following Muslin’s dismissal
last autumn, the 44-year-old former
centre-back played for Serbia & Montenegro at the
2006 World Cup.
THE KEY PLAYERS
The goals of Dusan Tadic and Aleksandar Mitrovic
and the ability of goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic
were vital in qualifying. Skipper Branislav Ivanovic
showed true leadership despite some ups and downs
in his performances. Nemanja Matic is the central
figure in midfield.
ONES TO WATCH
Talented midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, who
has been starring for Lazio in Serie A, was ignored by
previous coach Muslin, who claimed he didn’t fit into
his 3-4-3 system. Former Tottenham youngster
Milos Veljkovic is a highly-rated centre-back or
defensive midfielder.

Is there a plan B?
Far too often Serbia seem over reliant on Dusan Tadic
STAR MAN
and they can look clueless when opponents manage ● Dusan TADIC remained key for the national
to shackle him. Coach Mladen Krstajic has given Although his form dropped side and made a crucial
creative players Adem Ljajic and Sergej Milinkovic- in the second part of the contribution by scoring the
Savic their chance and their inclusion could resolve qualifying campaign, the winner in the vital 3-2 victory
this problem. Southampton midfielder over Austria.
110 WORLD CUP 2018
 As Yugoslavia 1958 Quarter-finals 1982 Group stage 2002 (did not qualify)
1930 Fourth place 1962 Fourth place 1986 (did not qualify) 2006 Group stage
1934-38 (did not qualify) 1966-70 (did not qualify) 1990 Quarter-finals As Serbia
WORLD CUP 1950 Group stage 1974 Second round As Serbia & Montenegro 2010 Group stage
FINALS HISTORY 1954 Quarter-finals 1978 (did not qualify) 1998 Second round 2014 (did not qualify)

THE SQUAD
● Kolarov
● Kostic
● Ivanovic
● Matic
● Stojkovic ● Ljajic ● Mitrovic
● Milivojevic
● Nastasic

● Tadic
● Rukavina

GOALKEEPERS MIDFIELDERS
● Marko DMITROVIC ● Marko GRUJIC
Eibar (Spa) Liverpool (Eng)
Age 26 (24.02.92) Age 22 (13.04.96)
Apps in qualifiers 0 Apps in qualifiers 0
● Predrag RAJKOVIC Goals in qualifiers 0
Maccabi Tel Aviv (Isr) ● Filip KOSTIC
Age 22 (31.10.95) Hamburg (Ger)
Apps in qualifiers 2 Age 25 (01.11.92)
● Vladimir Apps in qualifiers 9
STOJKOVIC Goals in qualifiers 2
Partizan ● Adem LJAJIC
Age 34 (28.07.83) Torino (Ita)
Apps in qualifiers 8 Age 26 (29.09.91)
Apps in qualifiers 3
DEFENDERS Goals in qualifiers 0
● Dusan BASTA ● Nemanja
Lazio (Ita) MAKSIMOVIC
Age 33 (18.08.84) Valencia (Spa)
Apps in qualifiers 0 Age 23 (26.01.95)
Goals in qualifiers 0 Apps in qualifiers 6
● Branislav IVANOVIC Goals in qualifiers 0
Zenit (Rus)
● Nemanja MATIC
Age 34 (22.02.84)
Manchester United (Eng)
Apps in qualifiers 10
Age 29 (01.08.88)
Goals in qualifiers 1
Apps in qualifiers 7
● Aleksandar Goals in qualifiers 1
KOLAROV
● Luka MILIVOJEVIC
Roma (Ita)
Crystal Palace (Eng)
Age 32 (10.11.85)
Age 27 (07.04.91)
Apps in qualifiers 8
Apps in qualifiers 9
Goals in qualifiers 2
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Nikola
MAKSIMOVIC ● Sergej MILINKOVIC-
Napoli (Ita) SAVIC
Age 26 (25.11.91) Lazio (Ita)
Apps in qualifiers 0 Age 23 (27.02.95)
Goals in qualifiers 0 Apps in qualifiers 0
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Matija NASTASIC
Schalke (Ger) ● Dusan TADIC
Age 25 (28.03.93) Southampton (Eng)
Apps in qualifiers 7 Age 29 (20.11.88)
Goals in qualifiers 0 Apps in qualifiers 10
● Ivan OBRADOVIC Goals in qualifiers 4
Anderlecht (Blg)
Age 29 (25.07.88)
Apps in qualifiers 2
● Andrija ZIVKOVIC
Benfica (Por)
Age 21 (11.07.96)
PROFILE: ALEKSANDAR MITROVIC
Goals in qualifiers 0 Apps in qualifiers 0
Goals in qualifiers 0 Few players can have been as successful for 23-year-old who joined Newcastle from Anderlecht
● Antonio RUKAVINA
Villarreal (Spa)
their country while not playing for their club as in July 2015 for £13million. Playing for a fellow
Age 34 (26.01.84) FORWARDS Aleksandar Mitrovic. The striker was only a reserve countryman in manager Slavisa Jokanovic, Mitrovic
Apps in qualifiers 9 ● Aleksandar at Newcastle United, but in the World Cup qualifiers has been firing on all cylinders. He scored eight
Goals in qualifiers 0 MITROVIC he scored six times, including two crucial equalisers goals in his first 11 matches for the second-tier
● Dusko TOSIC Newcastle United (Eng) in the two draws with Wales that proved vital in side, earning rave reviews for his performances.
Besiktas (Tur) Age 23 (16.09.94) securing a place in Russia. “Mitrovic is good player,” says Jokanovic. “He’s
Age 33 (19.01.85) Apps in qualifiers 9 There were plenty of concerns throughout Serbia made a great job for us, I repeat many times:
Apps in qualifiers 0 Goals in qualifiers 6
when Mitrovic joined Championship side Fulham he’s an important signing for us and worked
Goals in qualifiers 0 ● Aleksandar on loan in January – the move would give the fiery in the offensive and defensive set pieces.
● Milos VELJKOVIC PRIJOVIC
centre-forward the chance to stay in shape ahead “He can hold the ball, he made important things.
Werder Bremen (Ger) PAOK (Gre)
Age 22 (26.09.95) Age 27 (21.07.90) of the World Cup, but would he be ready to face And at the end what is important is we start our
Apps in qualifiers 0 Apps in qualifiers 4 the world’s best this summer? striker and he scores the goals.”
Goals in qualifiers 0 Goals in qualifiers 1 It’s been so far, so good at Fulham for the Everybody in Serbia will agree with that.
WORLD CUP 2018 111
SOUTH KOREA

THE SCHEDULE
GROUP F
June 18 v Sweden (Nizhny Novgorad)
June 23 v Mexico (Rostov-on-Don)
June 27 v Germany (Kazan)
THE BETTING
300/1 to win the World Cup
16/1 to win Group F
THE QUESTIONS
Can the team reverse poor results?
Just one victory and a lack of good performances in
2017 has drained confidence in the team. Before the
World Cup gets too close, the players need to get a
win or two – otherwise the build-up is going to be full
of dread rather than excitement.
Can Son score the goals?
South Korea gets excited watching Son Heung-min’s
exploits in England but he has not always had the
same success with the national team. Too much
pressure and not enough supply has sometimes
been the problem.
foreign knowhow, former Spain and Real Madrid
number two Grande was appointed as assistant in
November. And he has much work to do.
Who will be in charge?
Ever since qualification was achieved there have been
rumours of Guus Hiddink making a return – and they
have been favourably received by most of the public.
However, while the Dutchman is highly unlikely to
return, but Shin Tae-yong will be under pressure if
poor results continue.
THE COACH
● SHIN Tae-yong
A tough-tackling midfielder who led
Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma to victory
in the 2010 Asian Champions League
after retiring. Was in charge of South Korea’s team at
the 2016 Olympics and the 2017 Under-20 World
Cup – tournaments that started well before ending in
disappointment. The 49-year-old replaced German
coach Uli Stielike, who was fired following a defeat to
Qatar during the qualifying campaign that left South
Korea in danger of missing out on Russia
THE KEY PLAYERS
Star Son Heung-min is the focus of the team’s
attacking efforts. Approaching 100 caps, midfielder
Ki Sung-yueng is a calming influence. Koo Ja-cheol
offers aggression and goals from midfield when fit.
THE ONES TO WATCH
There are high hopes for busy striker Hwang
Hee-chan who has settled into life in Europe with
Red Bull Salzburg.

Is a lack of playing time a problem?

Lee Chung-yung at Crystal Palace and Ji Dong-won
at Augsburg have not appeared much this season
STAR MAN
and they will need more playing time with their club ● SON Heung-min missing a number of games
sides if they are to make the plane to Russia. The Tottenham attacker was a through injury. Still only 25 but
crucial figure in the qualifying already has the highest profile
Will Toni Grande make a difference? campaign, finishing as South of any South Korea playing in
With many thinking there was a need for some Korea’s top scorer despite European club football.
112 WORLD CUP 2018
 1950 (did not enter) 1970 (did not qualify) 1990 Group stage
1954 Group stage 1974 (did not qualify) 1994 Group stage
1958 (did not enter) 1978 (did not qualify) 1998 Group stage
WORLD CUP 1962 (did not qualify) 1982 (did not qualify) 2002 Fourth place 2010 Second round
FINALS HISTORY 1966 (did not enter) 1986 Group stage 2006 Group stage 2014 Group stage

THE SQUAD
● Son
● Kim J-s
● Koo
● Jang
● Lee J-s
● Kim S-g ● Hwang
● Ki
● Hong
● Lee K-h

● Choi

GOALKEEPERS ● KI Sung-yueng
● CHO Hyun-woo Swansea City (Eng)
Daegu Age 29 (24.01.89)
Age 26 (25.09.91) Apps in qualifiers 14
Apps in qualifiers 0 Goals in qualifiers 4
● KIM Jin-hyeon ● KOO Ja-cheol
Cerezo Osaka (Jap)
Augsburg (Ger)
Age 30 (06.07.87)
Age 29 (27.02.89)
Apps in qualifiers 1
Apps in qualifiers 13
● KIM Seung-gyu
Vissel Kobe (Jap) Goals in qualifiers 4
Age 27 (30.09.90) ● KWON Chang-hoon
Apps in qualifiers 9 Dijon (Fra)
Age 23 (30.06.94)
DEFENDERS Apps in qualifiers 6
● CHOI Chul-soon Goals in qualifiers 3
Jeonbuk Motors ● LEE Chang-min
Age 31 (18.02.87)
Jeju United
Apps in qualifiers 3
Age 24 (20.01.94)
Goals in qualifiers 0
Apps in qualifiers 0
● HONG Jeong-ho
Goals in qualifiers 0
Jiangsu Suning (Chn)
Age 28 (12.08.89) ● LEE Jae-sung
Apps in qualifiers 5 Jeonbuk Motors
Goals in qualifiers 0 Age 25 (10.08.92)
● JANG Hyun-soo Apps in qualifiers 0
Tokyo (Jap) Goals in qualifiers 0
Age 26 (28.09.91) ● PARK Joo-ho
Apps in qualifiers 16 Ulsan
Goals in qualifiers 2
Age 31 (16.01.87)
● KIM Jin-su Apps in qualifiers 3
Jeonbuk Motors
Goals in qualifiers 0
Age 25 (13.06.92)
Apps in qualifiers 9 ● YEOM Ki-hun
Goals in qualifiers 2 Suwon Bluewings
● KIM Min-jae Age 35 (30.03.83)
Jeonbuk Motors Apps in qualifiers 2
Age 21 (15.11.96) Goals in qualifiers 0
Apps in qualifiers 1
Goals in qualifiers 0 FORWARDS
● KIM Min-woo ● HWANG Hee-chan
Suwon Bluewings Red Bull Salzburg (Aut)
Age 28 (25.02.90)
Age 22 (26.01.96)
Apps in qualifiers 1
Goals in qualifiers 0
● LEE Yong
Apps in qualifiers 7
Goals in qualifiers 1 PROFILE: KI SUNG-YUENG
Jeonbuk Motors ● KIM Shin-wook
Age 31 (24.12.86) Jeonbuk Motors Midfielder Ki Sung-yueng has not had an easy time in the World Cup qualifiers against Iran and
Apps in qualifiers 2 Age 30 (14.04.88) at club level recently. Swansea City have been Uzbekistan, Shin insisted on Ki captaining the
Goals in qualifiers 0 Apps in qualifiers 4 embroiled in a relegation battle for the past few team from the sidelines.
● YUN Young-sun Goals in qualifiers 0 seasons, with managers coming and going on a “I want to give Ki the captain’s armband even if
Seongnam ● LEE Keun-ho regular basis. Yet despite these problems, Ki has he can’t play,” Shin said.
Age 29 (04.10.88) Gangwon been a regular for the South Korean national side, “Ki has been serving a central role well in the
Apps in qualifiers 0 Age 33 (11.04.85) providing both midfield creativity and leadership. national team.”
Goals in qualifiers 0 Ki is South Korea’s most experienced player; he South Korea had a terrible first half of the
Apps in qualifiers 2
Goals in qualifiers 0 currently has 99 caps and will most likely reach qualifying campaign, culminating in Stielike’s
MIDFIELDERS
● SON Heung-min 100 caps on the eve of the World Cup. departure and his replacement by local man Shin.
● JUNG Woo-young
Tottenham Hotspur (Eng) Koo Ja-cheol was captain at the 2014 World Cup Team spirit had plummeted under the German
Vissel Kobe (Jap)
Age 28 (14.12.89) Age 25 (08.07.92) but Ki was given the armband by new coach Shin and the appointment of Shin, who had previously
Apps in qualifiers 8 Apps in qualifiers 12 Tae-yong when he replaced Uli Stielike last year. been the assistant coach, was designed to turn
Goals in qualifiers 0 Goals in qualifiers 7 Even when a knee injury prevented Ki from playing things around.
WORLD CUP 2018 113
SPAIN
THE SCHEDULE
GROUP B
June 15 v Portugal (Sochi)
June 20 v Iran (Kazan)
June 25 v Morocco (Kaliningrad)
BETTING
6/1 to win the World Cup
4/9 to win Group B
THE QUESTIONS
Can they keep up their current form?
After a friendly last autumn, in which Spain had won
5-0, Costa Rica’s coach said of Spain: “They move
the ball with one touch and at devilish speed.” That
will be the key to their game next summer – if they
can maintain that speed of circulation at the end of
a long season.
Who starts up front?
The short answer is, of course, Alvaro Morata. But
Diego Costa is back in contention after his return
to Atletico Madrid. And then there’s Rodrigo, who is
scoring goals for Valencia and Spain. Against Italy,
they played without a fixed striker – something that
even Morata, the “victim” of the tactic, said was a
good idea.
Is there room for someone new?
Julen Lopetegui has been very open minded about
bringing players in, some call-ups coming seemingly
out of the blue. And while the coach has been swift
to call on those he worked with at under-21 level, he
114 WORLD CUP 2018
has also been willing to look beyond those. Even THE COACH
David Villa got a recall. ● Julen LOPETEGUI
Appointed after the last World
One midfield “pivot” or two? Cup, the former under-21 coach
While the essence of the team’s approach remains has quietly made changes to the
the same, Lopetegui made tactical tweaks throughout national team and introduced new variants while
qualification. Usually, Barcelona’s Sergio Busquets has reinforcing its essence. He has demonstrated a
played alongside another midfielder – usually Koke, willingness to open his mind to alternatives and
sometimes Saul, occasionally Thiago Alcantara – but bring in unexpected players, both young and old,
at times Busquets plays alone with two “interiors” and has so far sidestepped the inevitable and often
ahead of him to either side. affected “controversies”.
THE KEY PLAYERS
Isco has been outstanding this year and will be the
creative heart of the side in Russia. David Silva has
always been there, even if he perhaps didn’t get the
recognition he deserved. And Jordi Alba is still
around as well, flying up and down the wing, head
back and legs whirring.
ONE TO WATCH
Right-back Alvaro Odriozola is rumoured to be on
Real Madrid’s wanted list.
STAR MAN
● ISCO and then glide around in
Watching the Real Madrid Malaga in Spain’s penultimate
midfielder take Italy apart in game of 2017, it’s incredible to
the crucial qualifier – which think that he didn’t make the
Spain won 3-0 in Madrid – squad in 2014 or 2016.

WORLD CUP
FINALS HISTORY
THE SQUAD
● Alba
● Isco
● Ramos
● De Gea
● Busquets
● Pique
● Koke
● Carvajal
GOALKEEPERS
● Kepa
ARRIZABALAGA
Athletic Bilbao
Age 23 (03.10.94)
Apps in qualifiers 0
● David DE GEA
Manchester United (Eng)
Age 27 (07.10.90)
Apps in qualifiers 9
● Pepe REINA
Napoli (Ita)
Age 35 (31.08.82)
Apps in qualifiers 1
DEFENDERS
● Jordi ALBA
Barcelona
Age 29 (21.03.89)
Apps in qualifiers 6
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Marcos ALONSO
Chelsea (Eng)
Age 27 (28.12.90)
Apps in qualifiers 0
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Cesar AZPILICUETA
Chelsea (Eng)
Age 28 (28.08.89)
Apps in qualifiers 1
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Dani CARVAJAL
Real Madrid
Age 26 (11.01.92)
Apps in qualifiers 5
Goals in qualifiers 0
● NACHO
Real Madrid
Age 28 (18.01.90)
Apps in qualifiers 5
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Alvaro ODRIOZOLA
Real Sociedad
Age 22 (14.12.95)
Apps in qualifiers 1
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Gerard PIQUE
Barcelona
Age 31 (02.02.87)
Apps in qualifiers 8
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Sergio RAMOS
Real Madrid
Age 32 (30.02.86)
Apps in qualifiers 9
Goals in qualifiers 1
MIDFIELDERS
● Marco ASENSIO
Real Madrid
Age 22 (21.01.96)
Apps in qualifiers 4
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Sergio BUSQUETS
Barcelona
1930 (did not enter) 1958 (did not qualify) 1978 Group stage 1998 Group stage
1934 Quarter-finals 1962 Group stage 1982 Second round 2002 Quarter-finals
1938 (did not enter) 1966 Group stage 1986 Quarter-finals 2006 Second round
1950 Fourth place 1970 (did not qualify) 1990 Second round 2010 WINNERS
1954 (did not qualify) 1974 (did not qualify) 1994 Quarter-finals 2014 Group stage
● Aspas
● Morata
● Silva
Age 29 (16.07.88)
Apps in qualifiers 9
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Andres INIESTA
Barcelona
Age 33 (11.05.84)
Apps in qualifiers 6
Goals in qualifiers 0
● ISCO
Real Madrid
Age 25 (21.04.92)
Apps in qualifiers 8
Goals in qualifiers 5
● KOKE
Atletico Madrid
Age 26 (08.01.92)
Apps in qualifiers 8
Goals in qualifiers 0
● SAUL
Atletico Madrid
Age 23 (21.11.94)
Apps in qualifiers 3
Goals in qualifiers 0
● David SILVA
Manchester City (Eng)
Age 32 (08.01.86)
Apps in qualifiers 9
Goals in qualifiers 5
● THIAGO Alcantara
Bayern Munich (Spa)
Age 27 (11.04.91)
Apps in qualifiers 8
Goals in qualifiers 1
FORWARDS
● Iago ASPAS
Celta Vigo
Age 30 (01.08.87)
PROFILE: DAVID SILVA
Apps in qualifiers 3
Goals in qualifiers 2
● Diego COSTA
Atletico Madrid
For club and country, David Silva is his team’s a special guy. David is so important but we try to
Age 29 (07.10.88)
secret weapon. Others have grabbed the make all the players feel they are so important.
Apps in qualifiers 5
headlines as Spain have dominated the “But he knows, alone, he cannot do it. So we
Goals in qualifiers 5
international football landscape in recent years, try to make a good team, a good team spirit with
● Alvaro MORATA but Silva is now one of his country’s most-capped everyone involved, knowing with and without the
Chelsea (Eng) players, with 119 appearances by the end of ball what we have to do.
Age 25 (23.10.92) March. Only Andres Iniesta and Sergio Ramos, in For Guardiola , Silva’s experience is vital, saying:
Apps in qualifiers 5 the current squad, have played more matches. “We cannot deny, David has had seven or eight
Goals in qualifiers 5 Kevin De Bruyne gets most of the headlines for years here – that’s a lot of games, a lot of
● Lucas VAZQUEZ his performances at Manchester City but the stats experience. He has a huge personality to play,
Real Madrid don’t lie: when David Silva plays, City win. “That’s especially in the bad moments.
Age 26 (01.06.91) why he’s playing every time!” says City boss Pep “The difference in the top players is, in the
Apps in qualifiers 0 Guardiola. “It’s a good record, normally when difficult games, they make a step forward and
Goals in qualifiers David plays you know you are a good team. He’s David is one of them.”
WORLD CUP 2018 115
SWEDEN

THE SCHEDULE Who will play in goal? THE COACH

GROUP F
June 18 v South Korea (Nizhny Novgorod)
June 23 v Germany (Sochi)
June 27 v Mexico (Yekaterinburg)
THE BETTING
150/1 to win the World Cup
13/2 to win Group F
THE QUESTIONS
Would Janne Andersson ever be tempted with a
back three?
Hell might freeze over first. A 4-4-2 system is
embedded within the soul of the Swedes. It’s the
system in which they feel the most comfortable
and secure.
Is there a risk of first-choice striker Marcus Berg
becoming rusty now that he no longer plays his
club football in Europe?
Despite moving from Panathinaikos to Al Ain in the
UAE in the summer he was impressive against Italy.
Andersson loves the front line blend of Berg and Ola
Toivonen, with the former as the forward threat and
the latter more likely to come deeper.
First-choice keeper Robin Olsson, who played in all
12 qualifying matches, is struggling with a knee injury.
Swansea’s Kristoffer Nordfeldt played in the March
friendly defeat to Chile.
If Emil Forsberg was injured, could Sweden cope
without him?
No one else is available with his speed and eye for
a killer through ball. The only alternative would be
winger Sam Larsson.
● Janne ANDERSSON
The 55-year-old was appointed in
June 2016, on a three-year contract,
brought in to replace Eric Hamren
at the end of Sweden’s Euro 2016 campaign. He
began his coaching career at fourth-tier Alets IK,
then took charge at Laholms FK, Halmstads, Orgryte
and Norrkoping, leading the latter to the Swedish
title in 2015.
THE KEY PLAYERS
Emil Forsberg is by far the team’s most imaginative
creative element, nominally lining up on the left side
but constantly looking to cut inside and cause havoc.
Back-four organiser and skipper Andreas Granqvist
has been a national-team warrior for a decade. The
flair of Ola Toivonen can produce game-changing
moments.
THE ONES TO WATCH
Winger Sam Larsson has enjoyed an impressive
season in Holland.

Could Zlatan Ibrahimovic make a World Cup

STAR MAN
comeback this summer? ● Emil FORSBERG past few seasons. In the post-
Most improbable. Sweden and Andersson have Sweden’s main attacking Ibrahimovic era, Forsberg is
moved on. They have a new style of play and influence has played a huge the man Sweden turn to for
completely different ethic in the camp. He is part in the rise of RB Leipzig the creation of scoring
likely to be staying in Los Angeles this summer. in the Bundesliga over the opportunities.
116 WORLD CUP 2018

WORLD CUP
FINALS HISTORY
THE SQUAD
● Olsson
● Forsberg
● Lindelof
● Seb Larsson
● Nordfeldt
● Svensson
● Granqvist
● Claesson
● Lustig
GOALKEEPERS
● Karl-Johan
JOHNSSON
Guingamp (Fra)
Age 28 (28.01.90)
Apps in qualifiers 0
● Kristoffer
NORDFELDT
Swansea City (Eng)
Age 28 (23.06.89)
Apps in qualifiers 0
● Jacob RINNE
AaB (Den)
Age 24 (20.06.93)
Apps in qualifiers 0
DEFENDERS
● Andreas
GRANQVIST
Krasnodar (Swe)
Age 33 (16.04.85)
Apps in qualifiers 12
Goals in qualifiers 3
● Filip HELANDER
Bologna (Ita)
Age 24 (22.04.93)
Apps in qualifiers 1
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Niklas HULT
AEK (Gre)
Age 28 (13.02.90)
Apps in qualifiers 0
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Pontus JANSSON
Leeds United (Eng)
Age 27 (13.02.91)
Apps in qualifiers 2
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Johan LARSSON
Brondby (Den)
Age 27 (05.05.90)
Apps in qualifiers 0
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Victor LINDELOF
Manchester United (Eng)
Age 23 (17.07.94)
Apps in qualifiers 11
Goals in qualifiers 1
● Mikael LUSTIG
Celtic (Sco)
Age 31 (13.12.86)
Apps in qualifiers 9
Goals in qualifiers 3
● Martin OLSSON
Swansea City (Eng)
Age 29 (17.05.88)
Apps in qualifiers 3
Goals in qualifiers 0
MIDFIELDERS
● Viktor CLAESSON
Krasnodar (Rus)
Age 26 (02.01.92)
Apps in qualifiers 8
Goals in qualifiers 0
1930 (did not enter) 1958 Runners-up 1978 Group stage 1998 (did not qualify)
1934 Quarter-finals 1962 (did not qualify) 1982 (did not qualify) 2002 Second round
1938 Fourth place 1966 (did not qualify) 1986 (did not qualify) 2006 Second round
1950 Third place 1970 Group stage 1990 Group stage 2010 (did not qualify)
1954 (did not qualify) 1974 Second round 1994 Third place 2014 (did not qualify)
● Toivonen
● Berg
● Jimmy DURMAZ
Toulouse (Fra)
Age 29 (22.03.89)
Apps in qualifiers 8
Goals in qualifiers 1
● Emil FORSBERG
RB Leipzig (Ger)
Age 26 (23.10.91)
Apps in qualifiers 12
Goals in qualifiers 4
● Alexander
FRANSSON
Basle (Swi)
Age 24 (02.04.94)
Apps in qualifiers 2
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Oscar HILJEMARK
Genoa (Ita)
Age 25 (28.06.92)
Apps in qualifiers 5
Goals in qualifiers 1
● Sebastian LARSSON
Hull City (Eng)
Age 32 (06.06.85)
Apps in qualifiers 7
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Sam LARSSON
Feyenoord (Hol)
Age 24 (10.05.93)
Apps in qualifiers 0
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Gustav SVENSSON
Seattle Sounders (USA)
Age 31 (07.02.87)
Apps in qualifiers 3
Goals in qualifiers 0
FORWARDS
● Marcus BERG
Al Ain (UAE)
Age 31 (17.08.86)
PROFILE: ANDREAS GRANQVIST
Apps in qualifiers 11
Goals in qualifiers 8
● John GUIDETTI
Celta Vigo (Spa) Four-times world champions Italy will be absent ending Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s decade of dominance
from this summer’s World Cup – the first time the of the award.
Age 26 (15.04.92)
Azzurri have failed to qualify for the World Cup “This is the biggest thing that has happened to
Apps in qualifiers 5
Goals in qualifiers 0 since 1958. They were beaten in the qualifying me,” admits 33-year-old Granqvist. “For those of
● Isaac KIESE THELIN play-offs by a Sweden side whose defence was us that are older, this is probably the last chance
Anderlecht (Blg) expertly marshalled by captain Andreas Granqvist. to play at a World Cup, so to succeed in these
Age 25 (24.06.92) Sweden took a slender 1-0 lead to Milan for circumstances is an unbelievable joy.”
Apps in qualifiers 6 the second leg. Against all the odds, they held Granqvist has come a long way since he was
Goals in qualifiers 1 for a goalless draw. Granqvist’s man-of-the-man signed by Wigan Athletic as a raw 21-year-old. He
performances in both games were instrumental struggled to adapt to life in England and moved on
● Ola TOIVONEN
in Sweden’s triumph. to Dutch side Groningen. From there he joined
Toulouse (Fra)
Age 31 (03.07.86) Granqvist, who collapsed to the ground in tears Genoa in Italy. For the past five years he has thrived
Apps in qualifiers 10 on the final whistle in Italy, was named Sweden’s at Russian side Krasnodar – an experience that
Goals in qualifiers 3 player of the year a few weeks after the victory, should stand him in good stead this summer.
WORLD CUP 2018 117
SWITZERLAND
THE SCHEDULE
GROUP E
June 17 v Brazil (Rostov)
June 22 v Serbia (Kaliningrad)
June 27 v Costa Rica (Nizhny Novgorod)
THE BETTING
100/1 to win the World Cup
6/1 to win Group E
THE QUESTIONS
Who will score the goals?
Haris Seferovic started as the lone striker in all
but one of Switzerland’s qualifiers and managed
to score four goals. However, his shooting can be
erratic at times, and following his performance
against Northern Ireland – particularly after he was
jeered during the home game – there now appears
to be a question mark over his place in the team.
Is Granit Xhaka the real deal?
While Xherdan Shaqiri is the team’s star turn, it
is the defensive midfielder who makes them tick.
Xhaka pulls the strings with his passing and his
anticipation of dangerous situations, although he
is also prone to defensive mistakes and giving the
ball away.
Who will play alongside Xhaka?
Denis Zakaria was thrown into the two-leg play-off
tie against Northern Ireland and made an immediate
impression. They can also call on the veteran Valon
Behrami or a relative newcomer in Remo Freuler.
118 WORLD CUP 2018
Are Switzerland as good as their line-up on THE COACH
paper suggests? ● Vladimir PETKOVIC
With nearly all of their players based at clubs in The 54-year-old replaced Ottmar
Europe’s so-called “big five” leagues, and in the Hitzfeld following the 2014 World
Bundesliga especially, the Swiss squad looks to Cup and led the Swiss to the last 16
be potentially one of the strongest at the World Cup. at Euro 2016. Before that he coached several Swiss
But when they faced their stiffest test in the qualifiers clubs, as well as Lazio in Serie A. Born in the former
they were found wanting, beaten comfortably away Yugoslavia, he spent most of his playing career as a
by European champions Portugal. And in the play- midfielder in Switzerland.
offs they needed a fortunate penalty, awarded for
a dubious handball, to overcome Northern Ireland. THE KEY PLAYERS
Yann Sommer has replaced Diego Benaglio in goal.
Captain Stephan Lichtsteiner provides an attacking
option from right-back, while on the other side
Ricardo Rodriguez is the dead-ball specialist.
Breel Embolo had to sit out most of the campaign
after suffering a serious injury during a Bundesliga
match with Schalke in October 2016.
THE ONES TO WATCH
Defender Manuel Akanji, and midfielders Remo
Freuler and Steven Zuber all came into the side
during the qualifiers.
STAR MAN
● Xherdan SHAQIRI always danger when he gets
His career has not quite lived the ball onto his left foot and
up to early expectations – he is the Swiss player most
fighting relegation this season likely to conjure up something
with Stoke City – but there is from nothing.
 1934 Quarter-finals 1962 Group stage 1982 (did not qualify)
1938 Quarter-finals 1960 Group stage 1986 (did not qualify) 2002 (did not qualify)
1950 Group stage 1970 (did not qualify) 1990 (did not qualify) 2006 Second round
WORLD CUP 1954 Quarter-finals 1974 (did not qualify) 1994 Second round 2010 Group stage
FINALS HISTORY 1958 (did not qualify) 1978 (did not qualify) 1998 (did not qualify) 2014 Second round

THE SQUAD
● Rodriguez ● Zuber

● Akanji
● Xhaka ● Seferovic
● Sommer
● Dzemaili
● Schar ● Behrami

● Lichtsteiner ● Shaqiri

GOALKEEPERS Age 33 (19.04.85)

● Roman BURKI
Borussia Dortmund (Ger)
Age 27 (14.11.90)
Apps in qualifiers 1
● Marwin HITZ
Augsburg (Ger)
Age 30 (18.09.87)
Apps in qualifiers 0
● Yann SOMMER
Borussia
Monchengladbach (Ger)
Age 29 (17.12.88)
Apps in qualifiers 11
DEFENDERS
● Manuel AKANJI
Borussia Dortmund (Ger)
Age 22 (19.07.95)
Apps in qualifiers 4
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Johan DJOUROU
Antalyaspor (Tur)
Age 31 (19.01.87)
Apps in qualifiers 7
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Nico ELVEDI
Borussia
Monchengladbach (Ger)
Age 21 (20.09.96)
Apps in qualifiers 2
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Michael LANG
Basle
Age 27 (08.02.91)
Apps in qualifiers 2
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Stephan
LICHTSTEINER
Juventus (Ita)
Age 34 (16.01.84)
Apps in qualifiers 11
Goals in qualifiers 3
● Francois
MOUBANDJE
Apps in qualifiers 5
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Blerim DZEMAILI
Bologna (Ita)
Age 32 (12.04.86)
Apps in qualifiers 9
Goals in qualifiers 1
● Gelson FERNANDES
Eintracht Frankfurt (Ger)
Age 31 (02.09.86)
Apps in qualifiers 6
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Remo FREULER
Atalanta (Ita)
Age 26 (15.02.92)
Apps in qualifiers 6
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Xherdan SHAQIRI
Stoke City (Eng)
Age 26 (10.10.91)
Apps in qualifiers 10
Goals in qualifiers 1
● Granit XHAKA
Arsenal (Eng)
Age 25 (27.09.92)
Apps in qualifiers 11
Goals in qualifiers 2
● Denis ZAKARIA
Borussia
Monchengladbach (Ger)
Age 21 (20.10.96)
Apps in qualifiers 7
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Steven ZUBER
Hoffenheim (Ger)
Age 26 (17.08.91)
Apps in qualifiers 7
Goals in qualifiers 2
FORWARDS
● Josip DRMIC
Borussia

PROFILE: STEPHAN LICHTSTEINER

Toulouse (Fra)
Age 27 (21.06.90)
Apps in qualifiers 3
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Ricardo
RODRIGUEZ
Milan (Ita)
Age 25 (25.08.92)
Apps in qualifiers 9
Goals in qualifiers 3
● Fabian SCHAR
Deportivo La Coruna
(Spa)
Age 26 (20.12.91)
Apps in qualifiers 11
Goals in qualifiers 1
MIDFIELDERS
● Valon BEHRAMI
Udinese (Ita)
Monchengladbach (Ger)
Age 25 (08.08.92)
Apps in qualifiers 1
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Breel EMBOLO
Schalke (Ger)
Age 21 (14.02.97)
Apps in qualifiers 7
Goals in qualifiers 1
● Admir MEHMEDI
Wolfsburg (Ger)
Age 27 (16.03.91)
Apps in qualifiers 11
Goals in qualifiers 2
● Haris SEFEROVIC
Benfica (Por)
Age 26 (22.02.92)
Apps in qualifiers 12
Goals in qualifiers 4
Switzerland go into the World Cup with a core
group of highly experienced players. First-teamers
such as Xherdan Shaqiri, Velon Behrami, Granit
Xhaka, Blerim Dzemaili, Admir Mehmedi and
Ricardo Rodriguez have all played well in excess
of 50 times for their country. Stephan Lichtsteiner
is the most experienced of them all, having played
in the past two World Cups and collected almost
100 caps.
If all goes to plan he will reach his century in
Switzerland’s pre-tournament friendly against
Japan. Switzerland’s captain is already his country’s
fourth-most capped player of all time. And if he
plays in all three group games in Russia, he could
draw level with Stephan Chapuisat as the
third-most capped Swiss player ever with 103
appearances. He would then have Alan Geiger
(112) and Heinz Hermann (118) in his sights.
Lichtsteiner’s achievements are all the more
remarkable because in 2015 he underwent surgery
to correct a heart problem. Many players would
have called it a day, but he has recovered to win a
sixth Serie A title with Juventus and lead
Switzerland to a third successive World Cup.
“I feared the worst,” he recalls. “It wasn’t an easy
time for me. A heart operation isn’t something you
take lightly. But, thankfully, friends, family and fans
gave me a lot of support.”
WORLD CUP 2018 119
TUNISIA

THE SCHEDULE Which French-born players might be tempted to THE COACH

GROUP G
June 18 v England (Volgograd)
June 23 v Belgium (Moscow Spartak)
June 28 v Panama (Saransk)
THE BETTING
750/1 to win the World Cup
14/1 to win Group G
THE QUESTIONS
Is there enough experience in the current team?
There are only a handful of members of the squad
who play for teams in Europe, and although club
football in Tunisia is among the strongest on the
African continent, the lack of depth is a major
concern for coach Nabil Maaloul.
Will Maaloul keep his job?
It is not uncommon for local coaches to be dismissed
and replaced by high-profile foreign imports in the
search for a Midas touch in the build-up to a World
Cup. Friendly victories over Iran and Costa Rica in
March helped Maaloul held on to his post.
switch nationality?
Tunisia failed to persuade French-born Sevilla striker
Wissam Ben Yedder – who played for the French
under-21s but has Tunisian parents – to switch to
the Tunisian cause. However, Yohan Benalouane,
the Leicester City defender, accepted a call-up
at the age of 30 after years of rejecting invitations
from the Tunisian federation. Another French-born
player, Dylan Bronn, also accepted a first call from
the Tunisians.
● Nabil MAALOUL
Appointed in March 2017 on a three-
year contract, he is in his second spell
as national coach, having quit during
the 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign. The 55-
year-old worked as assistant to the former France
boss Roger Lemerre when Tunisia last appeared at
the World Cup, in Germany in 2006. A former
Tunisia international, he was his country’s youngest
player at the 1988 Olympics.
THE KEY PLAYERS
Keeper Aymen Mathlouthi, known better as
Balbouli, often rescues a plodding defence. The runs
of Ali Maaloul runs down the left are key, while
Naim Sliti and Ferjani Sassi are stout midfield
workers. Wahbi Khazri is a set-piece specialist.
ONES TO WATCH
The French-born, Belgian-based centre-back Dylan
Bronn could break through in the next few months.

Do they have the requisite ambition?

Qualifying is often the zenith of ambition for
countries such as Tunisia and they are happy just to
STAR MAN
be along for the ride. Tunisia were the first African ● Youssef MSAKNI a race to be fit in time for the
country to win a World Cup finals game, beating The 27-year-old attacking World Cup after damaging
Mexico in Rosario in 1978 on their debut, but in 11 midfielder is the team’s main knee ligaments in April. He
ties since, they have drawn four and lost seven. creative force and a key travelled to the USA for
goalscorer. However, he faces specialist surgery.
120 WORLD CUP 2018

WORLD CUP
FINALS HISTORY
THE SQUAD
● Maaloul
● Benalouane
● Mathlouthi ● Sliti
● Sassi
● Bronn
● Nagguez
GOALKEEPERS
● Moez BEN CHERIFIA
Esperance
Age 26 (24.06.91)
Apps in qualifiers 0
● Farouk BEN
MUSTAPHA
Al Shabab (Sau)
Age 28 (01.07.89)
Apps in qualifiers 0
● Aymen
MATHLOUTHI
Al Batin (Sau)
Age 33 (14.09.84)
Apps in qualifiers 8
DEFENDERS
● Aymen ABDENNOUR
Valencia (Spa)
Age 28 (06.08.89)
Apps in qualifiers 2
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Syam BEN YOUSSEF
Kasimpasa (Tur)
Age 29 (31.03.89)
Apps in qualifiers 5
Goals in qualifiers 1
● Yohan
BENALOUANE
Leicester City (Eng)
Age 31 (28.03.87)
Apps in qualifiers 0
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Dylan BRONN
Gent (Blg)
Age 22 (19.06.95)
Apps in qualifiers 0
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Oussama HADDADI
Dijon (Fra)
Age 26 (28.01.92)
Apps in qualifiers 1
Goals in qualifiers 1
● Yassine MERIAH
CS Sfaxien
Age 24 (02.07.93)
Apps in qualifiers 5
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Ali MAALOUL
Al Ahly (Egy)
Age 28 (01.01.90)
Apps in qualifiers 8
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Hamdi NAGGUEZ
Zamalek (Egy)
Age 25 (28.10.92)
Apps in qualifiers 5
Goals in qualifiers 0
MIDFIELDERS
● Karim AOUADHI
CS Sfaxien
Age 31 (02.05.86)
Apps in qualifiers 3
Goals in qualifiers 0
1958 (did not enter) 1978 Group stage 1998 Group stage
1962 (did not qualify) 1982 (did not qualify) 2002 Group stage
1966 (did not enter) 1986 (did not qualify) 2006 Group stage
1970 (did not qualify) 1990 (did not qualify) 2010 (did not qualify)
1974 (did not qualify) 1994 (did not qualify) 2014 (did not qualify)
● Msakni
● Badri ● Khenissi
● Khazri
● Mohamed Amine
BEN AMOR
Etoile du Sahel
Age 26 (01.01.92)
Apps in qualifiers 6
Goals in qualifiers 1
● Ahmed KHALIL
Club Africain
Age 23 (21.12.94)
Apps in qualifiers 0
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Saif-Eddine KHAOUI
Marseille (Fra)
Age 22 (27.04.95)
Apps in qualifiers 0
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Wahbi KHAZRI
Sunderland (Eng)
Age 27 (08.02.91)
Apps in qualifiers 6
Goals in qualifiers 2
● Ferjani SASSI
Al Nassr (Sau)
Age 26 (18.03.92)
Apps in qualifiers 6
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Ellyes SKHIRI
Montpellier (Fra)
Age 22 (10.05.95)
Apps in qualifiers 0
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Naim SLITI
Lille (Fra)
Age 25 (27.07.92)
Apps in qualifiers 3
Goals in qualifiers 0
FORWARDS
● Anice BADRI
Esperance
Age 27 (18.08.90)
Apps in qualifiers 4
PROFILE: AYMEN ABDENNOUR
Goals in qualifiers 1
● Fakhreddine BEN
YOUSSEF
Al Ettifaq (Sau) Very few of Tunisia’s leading players earn their living centre-back Aymen Abdennour. The 28-year-old
Age 26 (21.06.91) with European clubs. Star man Youssef Msakni former captain of Tunisia’s under-21 side already
Apps in qualifiers 5 turned his back on offers from European clubs to has a long career in Europe behind him, having
Goals in qualifiers 0
earn big bucks in Qatar, while many of the squad played in Germany for Werder Bremen, in France
● Taha Yassine play their club football for traditional Tunisian for Toulouse, Monaco and Marseille, and in Spain
KHENISSI
powerhouses Esperance and CS Sfaxien, who are for Valencia.
Esperance
both regulars in the knockout stages of the African He is currently on loan at Marseille but has been
Age 26 (06.01.92)
club competitions. sidelined by a serious hamstring injury. He missed
Apps in qualifiers 6
Goals in qualifiers 0 Tunisia coach Nabil Maaloul has tried to add four of Tunisia’s six World Cup qualifying games and
more experience by making a late bid to recruit now faces a race to be fit in time for the World Cup
● Youssef MSAKNI
Al Duhail (Qat) European-born players with Tunisian roots, such as in Russia.
Age 27 (28.10.90) Leicester City defender Yohan Benalouane and Despite his recent injuries, Abdennour has been
Apps in qualifiers 4 Gent’s Dylan Bronn. a mainstay of Tunisia’s defence since making his
Goals in qualifiers 3 One man who has bucked the trend is senior international debut back in 2009.
WORLD CUP 2018 121
URUGUAY
THE SCHEDULE
GROUP A
June 15 v Egypt (Yakaterinburg)
June 20 v Saudi Arabia (Rostov)
June 25 v Russia (Samara)
THE BETTING
25/1 to win the World Cup
5/6 to win Group A
THE QUESTIONS
Are the newcomers ready?
Over the last few months Uruguay have changed
the balance of their midfield, looking for controlled
possession from the likes of Federico Valverde
and Rodrigo Bentancur, from this year’s under-20
side, and Nahitan Nandez, a 2015 graduate. The
transformation has been striking, and the promise
undeniable – but are these players ready to protect
the defence, keep the ball and support the strikers
on the global stage?
Who will supply the strike force of Luis Suarez
and Edinson Cavani?
Oscar Tabarez finally seems to have given up on
Gaston Ramirez as the side’s playmaker so it could
fall to current favourite Giorgian De Arrascaeta to
open up opposing defences.
Does the defensive unit lack pace?
There is certainly a fear that if Tabarez’s team push
up then the defence can be bypassed all too easily. A
4-1 home defeat by Brazil in March last year saw the
122 WORLD CUP 2018
coach ditch the idea of playing Sebastian Coates THE COACH
alongside Diego Godin, while he also dropped ● Oscar TABAREZ
holding midfielder Egidio Arevalo Rios. Appointed for a second spell in charge
in March 2006 and, aged 71, he is
Can Suarez get through a World Cup without approaching the end of what will
picking up a suspension? surely be the last job of his career. Has put Uruguay
In 2010 he missed the semi-finals after being sent back on the map, with his greatest achievement
off for handball against Ghana. Four years later probably overseeing an enormously successful
he rushed back from injury to help Uruguay into under-20 project.
the knockout stage but was thrown out of the
competition for biting. THE KEY PLAYERS
Edinson Cavani was South America’s top scorer in
qualification, leading the attacking line when Luis
Suarez was missing or playing alongside him and
dropping deeper. Captain Diego Godin is the
organiser of the defensive line who, although he
may be losing a little pace, remains a vital figure.
ONES TO WATCH
Midfielder Federico Valverde was promoted from
the under-20 side, bringing quality and controlled
possession. Along with Rodrigo Bentancur, he
represents the start of a generational change.
STAR MAN
● Luis SUAREZ glory. The country’s all-time
Skilful, dynamic and often top goalscorer is preparing for
controversial, Suarez is the his third World Cup – and the
team’s main attacking weapon last that he will play close to
and their biggest hope of his peak years.
 1930 WINNERS 1958 (did not qualify) 1978 (did not qualify) 1998 (did not qualify)
1934 (did not enter) 1962 Group stage 1982 (did not qualify) 2002 Group stage
1938 (did not enter) 1966 Quarter-finals 1986 Second round 2006 (did not qualify)
WORLD CUP 1950 WINNERS 1970 Fourth place 1990 Second round 2010 Fourth place
FINALS HISTORY 1954 Fourth place 1974 Group stage 1994 (did not qualify) 2014 Second round

THE SQUAD
● Laxalt ● Bentancur

● Gimenez ● Cavani

● Muslera ● De Arrascaeta
● Godin
● Suarez
● Vecino

● Varela ● Sanchez

GOALKEEPERS ● Diego LAXALT

● Martin CAMPANA
Independiente (Arg)
Age 28 (29.05.89)
Apps in qualifiers 0
● Fernando MUSLERA
Galatasaray (Tur)
Age 31 (16.06.86)
Apps in qualifiers 17
● Martin SILVA
Vasco da Gama (Bra)
Age 35 (23.03.83)
Apps in qualifiers 1
DEFENDERS
● Martin CACERES
Lazio (Ita)
Age 31 (07.04.87)
Apps in qualifiers 10
Goals in qualifiers 3
● Sebastian COATES
Sporting (Por)
Age 27 (07.10.90)
Apps in qualifiers 9
Goals in qualifiers 1
● Jose Maria
GIMENEZ
Atletico Madrid (Spa)
Age 23 (20.01.95)
Apps in qualifiers 9
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Diego GODIN
Atletico Madrid (Spa)
Age 32 (16.02.86)
Apps in qualifiers 16
Goals in qualifiers 3
● Maxi PEREIRA
Porto (Por)
Age 33 (08.06.84)
Apps in qualifiers 11
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Gaston SILVA
Independiente (Arg)
Age 24 (05.03.94)
Apps in qualifiers 9
Genoa (Ita)
Age 25 (07.02.93)
Apps in qualifiers 2
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Nahitan NANDEZ
Boca Juniors (Arg)
Age 22 (28.12.95)
Apps in qualifiers 5
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Cristian
RODRIGUEZ
Penarol
Age 32 (30.09.85)
Apps in qualifiers 13
Goals in qualifiers 2
● Carlos SANCHEZ
Monterrey (Mex)
Age 33 (02.12.84)
Apps in qualifiers 15
Goals in qualifiers 1
● Lucas TORREIRA
Sampdoria (Ita)
Age 22 (11.02.96)
Apps in qualifiers 0
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Federico VALVERDE
Real Madrid (Spa)
Age 19 (22.07.98)
Apps in qualifiers 3
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Matias VECINO
Internazionale (Ita)
Age 26 (24.08.91)
Apps in qualifiers 12
Goals in qualifiers 0
FORWARDS
● Edinson CAVANI
Paris Saint-Germain (Fra)
Age 31 (14.02.87)

PROFILE: EDINSON CAVANI

Goals in qualifiers 0
● Guillermo VARELA
Penarol
Age 25 (24.03.93)
Apps in qualifiers 0
Goals in qualifiers 0
MIDFIELDERS
● Rodrigo
BENTANCUR
Juventus (Ita)
Age 20 (05.06.97)
Apps in qualifiers 2
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Giorgian DE
ARRASCAETA
Cruzeiro (Bra)
Age 23 (01.05.94)
Apps in qualifiers 3
Goals in qualifiers 0
Apps in qualifiers 15
Goals in qualifiers 10
● Maxi GOMEZ
Celta Vigo (Spa)
Age 21 (14.08.96)
Apps in qualifiers 0
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Cristhian STUANI
Girona (Spa)
Age 31 (10.12.86)
Apps in qualifiers 9
Goals in qualifiers 0
● Luis SUAREZ
Barcelona (Spa)
Age 31 (24.01.87)
Apps in qualifiers 13
Goals in qualifiers 5
You write off Edinson Cavani at your peril. The
Uruguayan was South America’s leading goalscorer
in the qualifying campaign, finishing ahead of such
world-class finishers as Lionel Messi, Gabriel Jesus,
Radamel Falcao and his own international
team-mate Luis Suarez.
Few people can match Cavani’s scoring record of
42 goals in 100 games. Only one man – Suarez,
with 50 goals in 97 internationals – has scored
more for Uruguay.
Cavani, now 31, is approaching the end of
a career in which he has been written off many
times. He’s been mocked in the past by fans for his
clumsy playing style, but his effort and non-stop
commitment have silenced his critics. When Zlatan
Ibrahimovic moved to Paris Saint-Germain, most
assumed Cavani would make way for the Swede.
And when Neymar arrived in the French capital last
summer, as the world’s most expensive footballer,
Cavani was the man who people predicted would
step aside for the Brazilian.
Instead, Cavani has risen to the challenge.
He was often been played out of position to
accommodate Ibrahimovic and then Neymar.
However, in January this year he entered the PSG
record books after leapfrogging Ibrahimovic to
become the French club’s all-time record scorer
with 157 goals.
WORLD CUP 2018 123
 WORLD CUP 2018: QUALIFYING RESULTS

ARGENTINA BELGIUM COSTA RICA

Group P W D L F A Pts Group H P W D L F A Pts 4th rd, Group B P W D L F A Pts
Brazil 18 12 5 1 41 11 41 Belgium 10 9 1 0 43 6 28 Costa Rica 6 5 1 0 11 3 16
Uruguay 18 9 4 5 32 20 31 Greece 10 5 4 1 17 6 19 Panama 6 3 1 2 7 5 10
Argentina 18 7 7 4 19 16 28 Bosnia 10 5 2 3 24 13 17 Haiti 6 1 1 4 2 4 4
Colombia 18 7 6 5 21 19 27 Estonia 10 3 2 5 13 19 11 Jamaica 6 1 1 4 2 10 4
Peru 18 7 5 6 27 26 26 Cyprus 10 3 1 6 9 18 10
Chile 18 8 2 8 26 27 26 Gibraltar 10 0 0 10 3 47 0 13.11.15 Costa Rica 1 0 Haiti
Paraguay 18 7 3 8 19 25 24 17.11.15 Panama 1 2 Costa Rica
Ecuador 18 6 2 10 26 29 20 06.09.16 Cyprus 0 3 Belgium 25.03.16 Jamaica 1 1 Costa Rica
Bolivia 18 4 2 12 16 38 14 29.03.16 Costa Rica 3 0 Jamaica
07.10.16 Belgium 4 0 Bosnia
Venezuela 18 2 6 10 19 35 12 02.09.16 Haiti 0 1 Costa Rica
10.10.16 Gibraltar 0 6 Belgium
06.09.16 Costa Rica 3 1 Panama
13.11.16 Belgium 8 1 Estonia
08.10.15 Argentina 0 2 Ecuador
25.03.17 Belgium 1 1 Greece
13.10.15 Paraguay 0 0 Argentina Fifth Round P W D L F A Pts
13.11.15 Argentina 1 1 Brazil 09.06.17 Estonia 0 2 Belgium Mexico 10 6 3 1 16 7 21
17.11.15 Colombia 0 1 Argentina 31.08.17 Belgium 9 0 Gibraltar Costa Rica 10 4 4 2 14 8 16
24.03.16 Chile 1 2 Argentina 03.09.17 Greece 1 2 Belgium Panama 10 3 4 3 9 10 13
29.03.16 Argentina 2 0 Bolivia 07.10.17 Bosnia 3 4 Belgium Honduras 10 3 4 3 13 19 13
01.09.16 Argentina 1 0 Uruguay 10.10.17 Belgium 4 0 Cyprus USA 10 3 3 4 17 13 12
06.09.16 Venezuela 2 2 Argentina Trinidad & Tobago 10 2 0 8 7 19 6
06.10.16
11.10.16
Peru 2
Argentina 0
2 Argentina
1 Paraguay BRAZIL 11.11.16 Trinidad & T 0 2 Costa Rica
10.11.16 Brazil 3 0 Argentina P W D L F A Pts 15.11.16 Costa Rica 4 0 USA
15.11.16 Argentina 3 0 Colombia Brazil 18 12 5 1 41 11 41 24.03.17 Mexico 2 0 Costa Rica
23.03.17 Argentina 1 0 Chile Uruguay 18 9 4 5 32 20 31 28.03.17 Honduras 1 1 Costa Rica
28.03.17 Bolivia 2 0 Argentina Argentina 18 7 7 4 19 16 28 08.06.17 Costa Rica 0 0 Panama
31.08.17 Uruguay 0 0 Argentina 13.06.17 Costa Rica 2 1 Trinidad & T
Colombia 18 7 6 5 21 19 27
05.09.17 Argentina 1 1 Venezuela 01.09.17 USA 0 2 Costa Rica
Peru 18 7 5 6 27 26 26
05.10.17 Argentina 0 0 Peru 05.09.17 Costa Rica 1 1 Mexico
Chile 18 8 2 8 26 27 26
10.10.17 Ecuador 1 3 Argentina 07.10.17 Costa Rica 1 1 Honduras
Paraguay 18 7 3 8 19 25 24
10.10.17 Panama 2 1 Costa Rica
Ecuador 18 6 2 10 26 29 20
AUSTRALIA Bolivia
Venezuela
18
18
4
2
2 12 16 38
6 10 19 35
14
12
2nd rd, Group B P W D L F A Pts Battle: Mexico’s Nestor Araujo
Australia 8 7 0 1 29 4 21 (in green) and Joel Campbell
08.10.15 Chile 2 0 Brazil
Jordan 8 5 1 2 21 7 16 of Costa Rica
13.10.15 Brazil 3 1 Venezuela
Kyrgyzstan 8 4 2 2 10 8 14
13.11.15 Argentina 1 1 Brazil
Tajikistan 8 1 2 5 9 20 5
17.11.15 Brazil 3 0 Peru
Bangladesh 8 0 1 7 2 32 1
25.03.16 Brazil 2 2 Uruguay
16.16.15 Kyrgyzstan 1 2 Australia 29.03.16 Paraguay 2 2 Brazil
03.09.15 Australia 5 0 Bangladesh 01.09.16 Ecuador 0 3 Brazil
08.09.15 Tajikistan 0 3 Australia 06.09.16 Brazil 2 1 Colombia
08.10.15 Jordan 2 0 Australia 06.10.16 Brazil 5 0 Bolivia
12.11.15 Australia 3 0 Kyrgyzstan 11.10.16 Venezuela 0 2 Brazil
17.11.15 Bangladesh 0 4 Australia 10.11.16 Brazil 3 0 Argentina
24.03.16 Australia 7 0 Tajikistan 15.11.16 Peru 0 2 Brazil
29.03.16 Australia 5 1 Jordan 23.03.17 Uruguay 1 4 Brazil
28.03.17 Brazil 3 0 Paraguay
3rd rd, Group B P W D L F A Pts 31.08.17 Brazil 2 0 Ecuador
Japan 10 6 2 2 17 7 20 05.09.17 Colombia 1 1 Brazil
Saudi Arabia 10 6 1 3 17 10 19 05.10.17 Bolivia 0 0 Brazil
Australia 10 5 4 1 16 11 19 10.10.17 Brazil 3 0 Chile
UAE 10 4 1 5 10 13 13
Iraq 10 3 2 5 11 12 11
Thailand 10 0 2 8 6 24 2 COLOMBIA
01.09.16 Australia 2 0 Iraq P W D L F A Pts
06.09.16 UAE 0 1 Australia Brazil 18 12 5 1 41 11 41
06.10.16 Saudi Arabia 2 2 Australia Uruguay 18 9 4 5 32 20 31
11.10.16 Australia 1 1 Japan Argentina 18 7 7 4 19 16 28
15.11.16 Thailand 2 2 Australia Colombia 18 7 6 5 21 19 27
23.03.17 Iraq 1 1 Australia Peru 18 7 5 6 27 26 26
28.03.17 Australia 2 0 UAE Chile 18 8 2 8 26 27 26
08.06.17 Australia 3 2 Saudi Arabia Paraguay 18 7 3 8 19 25 24
31.08.17
05.09.17
Japan 2
Australia 2
0 Australia
1 Thailand
Ecuador
Bolivia
18
18
6
4
2 10 26 29
2 12 16 38
20
14 CROATIA
ASIA PLAY-OFF Venezuela 18 2 6 10 19 35 12 Group I P W D L F A Pts
05.10.17 Syria 1 1 Australia Iceland 10 7 1 2 16 7 22
10.10.17 Australia 2 1 Syria 08.10.15 Colombia 2 0 Peru Croatia 10 6 2 2 15 4 20
ASIA-CONCACAF PLAY-OFF 13.10.15 Uruguay 3 0 Colombia Ukraine 10 5 2 3 13 9 17
10.11.17 Honduras 0 0 Australia 12.11.15 Chile 1 1 Colombia Turkey 10 4 3 3 14 13 15
15.11.17 Australia 3 0 Honduras 17.11.15 Colombia 0 1 Argentina Finland 10 2 3 5 9 13 9
24.03.16 Bolivia 2 3 Colombia Kosovo 10 0 1 9 3 24 1
29.03.16 Colombia 3 1 Ecuador
Play-off: Australia 05.09.16 Croatia 1 1 Turkey
01.09.16 Colombia 2 0 Venezuela
06.10.16 Kosovo 0 6 Croatia
score against Honduras 06.09.16 Brazil 2 1 Colombia
09.10.16 Finland 0 1 Croatia
06.10.16 Paraguay 0 1 Colombia
12.11.16 Croatia 2 0 Iceland
11.10.16 Colombia 2 2 Uruguay
24.03.17 Croatia 1 0 Ukraine
10.11.16 Colombia 0 0 Chile 11.06.17 Iceland 1 0 Croatia
15.11.16 Argentina 3 0 Colombia 02.09.17 Croatia 1 0 Kosovo
23.03.17 Colombia 1 0 Bolivia 05.09.17 Turkey 1 0 Croatia
28.03.17 Ecuador 0 2 Colombia 06.10.17 Croatia 1 1 Finland
31.08.17 Venezuela 0 0 Colombia 09.10.17 Ukraine 0 2 Croatia
05.09.17 Colombia 1 1 Brazil PLAY-OFFS
05.10.17 Colombia 1 2 Paraguay 09.11.17 Croatia 4 1 Greece
10.10.17 Peru 1 1 Colombia 12.11.17 Greece 0 0 Croatia

124 WORLD CUP 2018

 Through: Andreas FRANCE ICELAND
Bjelland of Denmark Group A P W D L F A Pts Group I P W D L F A Pts
France 10 7 2 1 18 6 23 Iceland 10 7 1 2 16 7 22
Sweden 10 6 1 3 26 9 19 Croatia 10 6 2 2 15 4 20
Holland 10 6 1 3 21 12 19 Ukraine 10 5 2 3 13 9 17
Bulgaria 10 4 1 5 14 19 13 Turkey 10 4 3 3 14 13 15
Luxembourg 10 1 3 6 8 26 6 Finland 10 2 3 5 9 13 9
Belarus 10 1 2 7 6 21 5 Kosovo 10 0 1 9 3 24 1

06.09.16 Belarus 0 0 France 05.09.16 Ukraine 1 1 Iceland

07.10.16 France 4 1 Bulgaria 06.10.16 Iceland 3 2 Finland
10.10.16 Holland 0 1 France 09.10.16 Iceland 2 0 Turkey
11.11.16 France 2 1 Sweden 12.11.16 Croatia 2 0 Iceland
25.03.17 Luxembourg 1 3 France 24.03.17 Kosovo 1 2 Iceland
09.06.17 Sweden 2 1 France 11.06.17 Iceland 1 0 Croatia
31.08.17 France 4 0 Holland 02.09.17 Finland 1 0 Iceland
03.09.17 France 0 0 Luxembourg 05.09.17 Iceland 2 0 Ukraine
07.10.17 Bulgaria 0 1 France 06.10.17 Turkey 0 3 Iceland
10.10.17 France 2 1 Belarus 09.10.17 Iceland 2 0 Kosovo

IRAN
2nd Rd, Group D P W D L F A Pts
Iran 8 6 2 0 26 3 20
Oman 8 4 2 2 11 7 14
Turkmenistan 8 4 1 3 10 11 13
DENMARK Guam 8 2 1 5 3 16 7
Group E P W D L F A Pts India 8 1 0 7 5 18 3
Poland 10 8 1 1 28 14 25
Denmark 10 6 2 2 20 8 20 16.06.15 Turkmenistan 1 1 Iran
Montenegro 10 5 1 4 20 12 16 03.09.15 Iran 6 0 Guam
Strong: 08.09.15 India 0 3 Iran
Romania 10 3 4 3 12 10 13 Oliver
Armenia 10 2 1 7 10 26 7 08.10.15 Oman 1 1 Iran
Giroud of 12.11.15 Iran 3 1 Turkmenistan
Kazakhstan 10 0 3 7 6 26 3
France (right) 17.11.15 Guam 0 6 Iran
04.09.16 Denmark 1 0 Armenia 24.03.16 Iran 4 0 India
08.10.16 Poland 3 2 Denmark 29.03.16 Iran 2 0 Oman
11.10.16
11.11.16
Denmark 0 1 Montenegro
Denmark 4 1 Kazakhstan
GERMANY 3rd Rd, Group A P W D L F A Pts
26.03.17 Romania 0 0 Denmark Germany 10 10 0 0 43 4 30 Iran 10 6 4 0 10 2 22
10.06.17 Kazakhstan 1 3 Denmark N Ireland 10 6 1 3 17 6 19 South Korea 10 4 3 3 11 10 15
01.09.17 Denmark 4 0 Poland Czech Rep 10 4 3 3 17 10 15 Syria 10 3 4 3 9 8 13
04.09.17 Armenia 1 4 Denmark Norway 10 4 1 5 17 16 13 Uzbekistan 10 4 1 5 6 7 13
05.10.17 Montenegro 0 1 Denmark Azerbaijan 10 3 1 6 10 19 10 China 10 3 3 4 8 10 12
11.10.17 Denmark 1 1 Romania San Marino 10 0 0 10 2 51 0 Qatar 10 2 1 7 8 15 7
PLAY-OFFS
11.11.17 Denmark 0 0 Rep Ireland 04.09.16 Norway 0 3 Germany 01.09.16 Iran 2 0 Qatar
14.11.17 Rep Ireland 1 5 Denmark 08.10.16 Germany 3 0 Czech Rep 06.09.16 China 0 0 Iran
11.10.16 Germany 2 0 N Ireland 06.10.16 Uzbekistan 0 1 Iran
11.11.16 San Marino 0 8 Germany 11.11.16 Iran 1 0 South Korea
EGYPT 26.03.17
10.06.17
Azerbaijan 1
Germany 7
4 Germany
0 San Marino
15.11.16
23.03.17
Syria 0
Qatar 0
0 Iran
1 Iran
PRELIMINARY ROUND 01.09.17 Czech Rep 1 2 Germany 28.03.17 Iran 1 0 China
14.11.15 Chad 1 0 Egypt 04.09.17 Germany 6 0 Norway 12.06.17 Iran 2 0 Uzbekistan
17.11.15 Egypt 4 0 Chad 05.10.17 N Ireland 1 3 Germany 31.08.17 South Korea 0 0 Iran
08.10.17 Germany 5 1 Azerbaijan 05.09.17 Iran 2 2 Syria
Group E P W D L F A Pts
Egypt 6 4 1 1 8 4 13
Uganda 6 2 3 1 3 2 9
Ghana 6 1 4 1 7 5 7
Race: South Korea’s Lee Jae-sung
Congo 6 0 2 4 5 12 2 (left) and Milad Mohammadi of Iran

09.10.16 Congo 1 2 Egypt

13.11.16 Egypt 2 0 Ghana
31.08.17 Uganda 1 0 Egypt
05.09.17 Egypt 1 0 Uganda
08.10.17 Egypt 2 1 Congo
12.11.17 Ghana 1 1 Egypt

ENGLAND
Group F P W D L F A Pts
England 10 8 2 0 18 3 26
Slovakia 10 6 0 4 17 7 18
Scotland 10 5 3 2 17 12 18
Slovenia 10 4 3 3 12 7 15
Lithuania 10 1 3 6 7 20 6
Malta 10 0 1 9 3 25 1

04.09.16 Slovakia 0 1 England

08.10.16 England 2 0 Malta
11.10.16 Slovenia 0 0 England
11.11.16 England 3 0 Scotland
26.03.17 England 2 0 Lithuania
10.06.17 Scotland 2 2 England
01.09.17 Malta 0 4 England
04.09.17 England 2 1 Slovakia
05.10.17 England 1 0 Slovenia
08.10.17 Lithuania 0 1 England

WORLD CUP 2018 125

 WORLD CUP 2018: QUALIFYING RESULTS

JAPAN MOROCCO
2nd Rd: Group E P W D L F A Pts ROUND 2
Japan 8 7 1 0 27 0 22 12.11.15 Morocco 2 0 Equatorial Guinea
Syria 8 6 0 2 26 11 18 15.11.15 Equatorial Guinea 1 1 Morocco
Singapore 8 3 1 4 9 9 10
Afghanistan 8 3 0 5 8 24 9 Group C P W D L F A Pts
Cambodia 8 0 0 8 1 27 0 Morocco 6 3 3 0 11 0 12
Ivory Coast 6 2 2 2 7 5 8
16.06.15 Japan 0 0 Singapore Gabon 6 1 3 2 2 7 6
03.09.15 Japan 3 0 Cambodia Mali 6 0 4 2 1 9 4 Joy: Peru
08.09.15 Afghanistan 0 6 Japan
08.10.15 Syria 0 3 Japan 08.10.16 Gabon 0 0 Morocco
12.11.15
17.11.15
Singapore 0
Cambodia 0
3 Japan
2 Japan
12.11.16
01.09.17
Morocco 0
Morocco 6
0 Ivory Coast
0 Mali
PERU
24.03.16 Japan 5 0 Afghanistan 05.09.17 Mali 0 0 Morocco Group P W D L F A Pts
29.03.16 Japan 5 0 Syria 07.10.17 Morocco 3 0 Gabon Brazil 18 12 5 1 41 11 41
11.11.17 Ivory Coast 0 2 Morocco Uruguay 18 9 4 5 32 20 31
3rd Rd: Group B P W D L F A Pts Argentina 18 7 7 4 19 16 28
Japan 10 6 2 2 17 7 20 Colombia 18 7 6 5 21 19 27
Saudi Arabia
Australia
10
10
6
5
1
4
3
1
17
16
10
11
19
19
NIGERIA Peru
Chile
18
18
7
8
5 6 27 26
2 8 26 27
26
26
UAE 10 4 1 5 10 13 13 SECOND ROUND Paraguay 18 7 3 8 19 25 24
Iraq 10 3 2 5 11 12 11 13.11.15 Swaziland 0 0 Nigeria Ecuador 18 6 2 10 26 29 20
Thailand 10 0 2 8 6 24 2 17.11.15 Nigeria 2 0 Swaziland Bolivia 18 4 2 12 16 38 14
Venezuela 18 2 6 10 19 35 12
01.09.16 Japan 1 2 UAE 3rd rd, Group B P W D L F A Pts
06.09.16 Thailand 0 2 Japan Nigeria 6 4 2 0 12 4 14 08.10.15 Colombia 2 0 Peru
06.10.16 Japan 2 1 Iraq Zambia 6 2 2 2 8 7 8 13.10.15 Peru 3 4 Chile
11.10.16 Australia 1 1 Japan Cameroon 6 1 4 1 7 9 7 13.11.15 Peru 1 0 Paraguay
15.11.16 Japan 2 1 Saudi Arabia Algeria 6 0 2 4 4 11 2 17.11.15 Brazil 3 0 Peru
23.03.17 UAE 0 2 Japan 24.03.16 Peru 2 2 Venezuela
28.03.17 Japan 4 0 Thailand 09.10.16 Zambia 1 2 Nigeria 29.03.16 Uruguay 1 0 Peru
13.06.17 Iraq 1 1 Japan 12.11.16 Nigeria 3 1 Algeria 01.09.16 Bolivia 0 3 Peru
31.08.17 Japan 2 0 Australia 01.09.17 Nigeria 4 0 Cameroon 06.09.16 Peru 2 1 Ecuador
05.09.11 Saudi Arabia 1 0 Japan 04.09.17 Cameroon 1 1 Nigeria 06.10.16 Peru 2 2 Argentina
07.10.17 Nigeria 1 0 Zambia 11.10.16 Chile 2 1 Peru
10.11.17 Algeria 1 1 Nigeria 10.11.16 Paraguay 1 4 Peru
Close: Iraq 15.11.16 Peru 0 2 Brazil
and Japan PANAMA 23.03.17
28.03.17
Venezuela 2
Peru 2
2 Peru
1 Uruguay
4th rd, Group B P W D L F A Pts 31.08.17 Peru 2 1 Bolivia
Costa Rica 6 5 1 0 11 3 16 05.09.17 Ecuador 1 2 Peru
Panama 6 3 1 2 7 5 10 05.10.17 Argentina 0 0 Peru
Haiti 6 1 1 4 2 4 4 10.10.17 Peru 1 1 Colombia
Jamaica 6 1 1 4 2 10 4 PLAY-OFFS
11.11.17 New Zealand 0 0 Peru
13.11.15 Jamaica 0 2 Panama 15.11.17 Peru 2 0 New Zealand
17.11.15 Panama 1 2 Costa Rica
25.03.16
29.03.16
Haiti 0
Panama 1
0 Panama
0 Haiti POLAND
02.09.16 Panama 2 0 Jamaica Group E P W D L F A Pts
06.09.16 Costa Rica 3 1 Panama Poland 10 8 1 1 28 14 25
Denmark 10 6 2 2 20 8 20
5th Round P W D L F A Pts Montenegro 10 5 1 4 20 12 16
Mexico 10 6 3 1 16 7 21 Romania 10 3 4 3 12 10 13
Costa Rica 10 4 4 2 14 8 16 Armenia 10 2 1 7 10 26 7
Panama 10 3 4 3 9 10 13 Kazakhstan 10 0 3 7 6 26 3
MEXICO Honduras
USA
10
10
3
3
4
3
3
4
13
17
19
13
13
12 04.09.16 Kazakhstan 2 2 Poland
4th Rd Group A P W D L F A Pts
Trinidad & T 10 2 0 8 7 19 6 08.10.16 Poland 3 2 Denmark
Mexico 6 5 1 0 13 1 16
Honduras 6 2 2 2 6 6 8 11.10.16 Poland 2 1 Armenia
11.11.16 Honduras 0 1 Panama 11.11.16 Romania 0 3 Poland
Canada 6 2 1 3 5 8 7
15.11.16 Panama 2 0 Mexico 26.03.17 Montenegro 1 2 Poland
El Salvador 6 0 2 4 4 13 2
24.03.17 Trinidad & T 1 0 Panama 10.06.17 Poland 3 1 Romania
28.03.17 Panama 2 1 USA 01.09.17 Denmark 4 0 Poland
13.11.15 Mexico 3 0 El Salvador
08.06.17 Costa Rica 0 0 Panama 04.09.17 Poland 3 0 Kazakhstan
17.11.15 Honduras 0 2 Mexico
13.06.17 Panama 2 2 Honduras 05.10.17 Armenia 1 6 Poland
25.03.16 Canada 0 3 Mexico
01.09.17 Mexico 1 0 Panama 08.10.17 Poland 4 2 Montenegro
29.03.16 Mexico 2 0 Canada
05.09.17 Panama 3 0 Trinidad & T
02.09.16 El Salvador 1 3 Mexico
06.10.17 USA 4 0 Panama
06.09.16 Mexico 0 0 Honduras
10.10.17 Panama 2 1 Costa Rica PORTUGAL
Fifth Round P W D L F A Pts Group B P W D L F A Pts
Mexico 10 6 3 1 16 7 21 Portugal 10 9 0 1 32 4 27
Costa Rica 10 4 4 2 14 8 16 In front: Panama’s Switzerland 10 9 0 1 23 7 27
Panama 10 3 4 3 9 10 13 Luis Tejada (right) Hungary 10 4 1 5 14 14 13
Honduras 10 3 4 3 13 19 13 Faroe Islands 10 2 3 5 4 16 9
USA 10 3 3 4 17 13 12 Latvia 10 2 1 7 7 18 7
Trinidad & Tobago 10 2 0 8 7 19 6 Andorra 10 1 1 8 2 23 4

11.11.16 USA 1 2 Mexico 06.09.16 Switzerland 2 0 Portugal

15.11.16 Panama 0 0 Mexico 07.10.16 Portugal 6 0 Andorra
24.03.17 Mexico 2 0 Costa Rica 10.10.16 Faroe Islands 0 6 Portugal
28.03.17 Trinidad & T 0 1 Mexico 13.11.16 Portugal 4 1 Latvia
08.06.17 Mexico 3 0 Honduras 25.03.17 Portugal 3 0 Hungary
11.06.17 Mexico 1 1 USA 09.06.17 Latvia 0 3 Portugal
01.09.17 Mexico 1 0 Panama 31.08.17 Portugal 5 1 Faroe Islands
05.09.17 Costa Rica 1 1 Mexico 03.09.17 Hungary 0 1 Portugal
06.10.17 Mexico 3 1 Trinidad & T 07.10.17 Andorra 0 2 Portugal
10.10.17 Honduras 3 2 Mexico 10.10.17 Portugal 2 0 Switzerland
126 WORLD CUP 2018
 SAUDI ARABIA SOUTH KOREA SWITZERLAND
2nd rd, Group A P W D L F A Pts 2nd Rd: Group G P W D L F A Pts Group B P W D L F A Pts
Saudi Arabia 8 6 2 0 28 4 20 South Korea 8 8 0 0 27 0 24 Portugal 10 9 0 1 32 4 27
UAE 8 5 2 1 25 4 17 Lebanon 8 3 2 3 12 6 11 Switzerland 10 9 0 1 23 7 27
Palestine 8 3 3 2 22 6 12 Kuwait 8 3 1 4 12 10 10 Hungary 10 4 1 5 14 14 13
Malaysia 8 1 1 6 3 30 4 Faroe Islands 10 2 3 5 4 16 9
Myanmar 8 2 2 4 9 21 8
Timor-Leste 8 0 2 6 2 36 2 Latvia 10 2 1 7 7 18 7
Laos 8 1 1 6 6 29 4 Andorra 10 1 1 8 2 23 4
11.06.15 Saudi Arabia 3 2 Palestine
03.09.15 Saudi Arabia 7 0 Timor-Leste 16.06.15 Myanmar 0 2 South Korea 06.09.16 Switzerland 2 0 Portugal
08.09.15 Malaysia 0 3 Saudi Arabia 03.09.15 South Korea 8 0 Laos 07.10.16 Hungary 2 3 Switzerland
08.10.15 Saudi Arabia 2 1 UAE 08.09.15 Lebanon 0 3 South Korea 10.10.16 Andorra 1 2 Switzerland
09.11.15 Palestine 0 0 Saudi Arabia 08.10.15 Kuwait 0 1 South Korea 13.11.16 Switzerland 2 0 Faroe Islands
17.11.15 Timor-Leste 0 10 Saudi Arabia 12.11.15 South Korea 4 0 Myanmar 25.03.17 Switzerland 1 0 Latvia
24.03.16 Saudi Arabia 2 0 Malaysia 17.11.15 Laos 0 5 South Korea 09.06.17 Faroe Islands 0 2 Switzerland
29.03.16 UAE 1 1 Saudi Arabia 24.03.16 South Korea 1 0 Lebanon 31.08.17 Switzerland 3 0 Andorra
03.09.17 Latvia 0 3 Switzerland
- South Korea v Kuwait (not played;
3rd rd, Group B P W D L F A Pts 07.10.17 Switzerland 5 2 Hungary
South Korea awarded a 3-0 victory) 10.10.17 Portugal 2 0 Switzerland
Japan 10 6 2 2 17 7 20
Saudi Arabia 10 6 1 3 17 10 19 PLAY-OFFS
Australia 10 5 4 1 16 11 19 3rd Rd: Group A P W D L F A Pts 09.11.17 Northern Ireland 0 1 Switzerland
UAE 10 4 1 5 10 13 13 Iran 10 6 4 0 10 2 22 12.11.17 Switzerland 0 0 Northern Ireland
Iraq 10 3 2 5 11 12 11 South Korea 10 4 3 3 11 10 15
Thailand 10 0 2 8 6 24 2 Syria 10 3 4 3 9 8 13

01.09.16 Saudi Arabia 1 0 Thailand

Uzbekistan 10 4 1 5 6 7 13 TUNISIA
China 10 3 3 4 8 10 12 SECOND ROUND
06.09.16 Iraq 1 2 Saudi Arabia Qatar 10 2 1 7 8 15 7 13.11.15 Mauritania 1 2 Tunisia
10.10.16 Saudi Arabia 2 2 Australia 17.11.15 Tunisia 2 1 Mauritania
11.10.16 Saudi Arabia 3 0 UAE
01.09.16 South Korea 3 2 China
15.11.16 Japan 2 1 Saudi Arabia Group A P W D L F A Pts
23.03.17 Thailand 0 3 Saudi Arabia 06.09.16 Syria 0 0 South Korea
Tunisia 6 4 2 0 11 4 14
28.03.17 Saudi Arabia 1 0 Iraq 06.10.16 South Korea 3 2 Qatar
DR Congo 6 4 1 1 14 7 13
08.06.17 Australia 3 2 Saudi Arabia 11.10.16 Iran 1 0 South Korea
Libya 6 1 1 4 4 10 4
29.08.17 UAE 2 1 Saudi Arabia 15.11.16 South Korea 2 1 Uzbekistan Guinea 6 1 0 5 6 14 3
05.09.17 Saudi Arabia 1 0 Japan 23.03.17 China 1 0 South Korea
28.03.17 South Korea 1 0 Syria 09.10.16 Tunisia 2 0 Guinea
SENEGAL 13.06.17
31.08.17
Qatar 3
South Korea 0
2 South Korea
0 Iran
11.11.16
01.09.17
Libya 0
Tunisia 2
1 Tunisia
1 Congo DR
SECOND ROUND 05.09.17 Uzbekistan 0 0 South Korea 05.09.17 Congo DR 2 2 Tunisia
13.11.15 Madagascar 2 2 Senegal 07.10.17 Guinea 1 4 Tunisia
17.11.15 Senegal 3 0 Madagascar 11.11.17 Tunisia 0 0 Libya

Group D P W D L F A Pts
SPAIN
Senegal 6 4 2 0 10 3 14 Group G P W D L F A Pts
Burkina Faso 6 2 3 1 10 6 9 Spain 10 9 1 0 36 3 28
Cape Verde 6 2 0 4 4 12 6 Italy 10 7 2 1 21 8 23
South Africa 6 1 1 4 7 10 4 Albania 10 4 1 5 10 13 13
Israel 10 4 0 6 10 15 12
08.10.16 Senegal 2 0 Cape Verde Macedonia 10 3 2 5 15 15 11
02.09.17 Senegal 0 0 Burkina Faso
Liechtenstein 10 0 0 10 1 39 0
05.09.17 Burkina Faso 2 2 Senegal
07.10.17 Cape Verde 0 2 Senegal
11.11.17 South Africa 0 2 Senegal 05.09.16 Spain 8 0 Liechtenstein
14.11.17 Senegal 2 1 South Africa 06.10.16 Italy 1 1 Spain Handful: Yassine
09.10.16 Albania 0 2 Spain Chikhaoui of Tunisia
12.11.16 Spain 4 0 Macedonia
SERBIA 24.03.17 Spain 4 1 Israel
Group D
Serbia
P
10
W
6
D
3
L
1
F
20
A
10
Pts
21
11.06.17
02.09.17
Macedonia 1
Spain 3
2 Spain
0 Italy
URUGUAY
05.09.17 Liechtenstein 0 8 Spain Group P W D L F A Pts
Rep Ireland 10 5 4 1 12 6 19 Brazil 18 12 5 1 41 11 41
Wales 10 4 5 1 13 6 17 06.10.17 Spain 3 0 Albania
Uruguay 18 9 4 5 32 20 31
Austria 10 4 3 3 14 12 15 09.10.17 Israel 0 1 Spain
Argentina 18 7 7 4 19 16 28
Georgia 10 0 5 5 8 14 5 Colombia 18 7 6 5 21 19 27
Moldova 10 0 2 8 4 23 2

05.09.16 Serbia 2 Rep Ireland 2

SWEDEN Peru
Chile
18
18
7
8
5 6 27 26
2 8 26 27
26
26
Group A P W D L F A Pts Paraguay 18 7 3 8 19 25 24
06.10.16 Moldova 0 Serbia 3 Ecuador 18 6 2 10 26 29 20
09.10.16 Serbia 3 Austria 2 France 10 7 2 1 18 6 23
Sweden 10 6 1 3 26 9 19 Bolivia 18 4 2 12 16 38 14
12.11.16 Wales 1 Serbia 1 Venezuela 18 2 6 10 19 35 12
24.03.17 Georgia 1 Serbia 3 Holland 10 6 1 3 21 12 19
11.06.17 Serbia 1 Wales 1 Bulgaria 10 4 1 5 14 19 13 08.10.15 Bolivia 0 2 Uruguay
02.09.17 Serbia 3 Moldova 0 Luxembourg 10 1 3 6 8 26 6 13.10.15 Uruguay 3 0 Colombia
05.09.17 Rep Ireland 0 Serbia 1 Belarus 10 1 2 7 6 21 5 12.11.15 Ecuador 2 1 Uruguay
06.10.17 Austria 3 Serbia 2 17.11.15 Uruguay 3 0 Chile
09.10.17 Serbia 1 Georgia 0 06.09.16 Sweden 1 1 Holland 25.03.16 Brazil 2 2 Uruguay
07.10.16 Luxembourg 0 1 Sweden 29.03.16 Uruguay 1 0 Peru
10.10.16 Sweden 3 0 Bulgaria 01.09.16 Argentina 1 0 Uruguay
Dominant: Serbia’s 06.09.16 Uruguay 4 0 Paraguay
11.11.16 France 2 1 Sweden
Aleksandar Prijovic 06.10.16 Uruguay 3 0 Venezuela
25.03.17 Sweden 4 0 Belarus
(in red) 11.10.16 Colombia 2 2 Uruguay
09.06.17 Sweden 2 1 France
10.11.16 Uruguay 2 1 Ecuador
31.08.17 Bulgaria 3 2 Sweden
15.11.16 Chile 3 1 Uruguay
03.09.17 Belarus 0 4 Sweden 23.03.17 Uruguay 1 4 Brazil
07.10.17 Sweden 8 0 Luxembourg 28.03.17 Peru 2 1 Uruguay
10.10.17 Holland 2 0 Sweden 31.08.17 Uruguay 0 0 Argentina
PLAY-OFF 05.09.17 Paraguay 1 2 Uruguay
10.11.17 Sweden 1 0 Italy 05.10.17 Venezuela 0 0 Uruguay
13.11.17 Italy 0 0 Sweden 10.10.17 Uruguay 4 2 Bolivia

WORLD CUP 2018 127

 WORLD CUP 2018: THE MATCHES

G RO U P G RO U P G RO U P G RO U P

AEGYPT
BIRAN
C
AUSTRALIA
D
ARGENTINA
RUSSIA MOROCCO DENMARK CROATIA
SAUDI ARABIA PORTUGAL FRANCE ICELAND
URUGUAY SPAIN PERU NIGERIA

J U N E 14 J U N E 15 J U N E 16 J U N E 16
Russia v Saudi Arabia Morocco v Iran France v Australia Argentina v Iceland
(Moscow Luzhniki, 7.45pm) (Saint Petersburg, 4pm) (Kazan, 11am) (Moscow Spartak, 2pm)

J U N E 15 J U N E 15 J U N E 16 J U N E 16
Egypt v Uruguay Portugal v Spain Peru v Denmark Croatia v Nigeria
(Yekaterinburg, 1pm) (Sochi, 7pm) (Saransk, 5pm) (Kaliningrad, 8pm)

J U N E 19 JUNE 20 J U N E 21 J U N E 21
Russia v Egypt Portugal v Morocco France v Peru Argentina v Croatia
(Saint Petersburg, 7pm) (Moscow Luzhniki, 1pm) (Yekaterinburg, 1pm) (Nizhny Novgorod, 7pm)

JUNE 20 JUNE 20 J U N E 21 JU N E 22
Uruguay v Saudi Arabia Iran v Spain Denmark v Australia Nigeria v Iceland
(Rostov-on-Don, 4pm) (Kazan, 7pm) (Samara, 4pm) (Volgograd, 4pm)

JUNE 25 JUNE 25 JUNE 26 JUNE 26

Saudi Arabia v Egypt Iran v Portugal Australia v Peru Iceland v Croatia
(Volgograd, 3pm) (Saransk, 7pm) (Sochi, 3pm) (Rostov-on-Don, 7pm)

JUNE 25 JUNE 25 JUNE 26 JUNE 26

Uruguay v Russia Spain v Morocco Denmark v France Nigeria v Argentina
(Samara, 3pm) (Kaliningrad, 7pm) (Moscow Luzhniki, 3pm) (Saint Petersburg, 7pm)

G RO U P G RO U P G RO U P G RO U P

E
BRAZIL
F
GERMANY
G
BELGIUM
H
COLOMBIA
COSTA RICA MEXICO ENGLAND JAPAN
SERBIA SOUTH KORES PANAMA POLAND
SWITZERLAND SWEDEN TUNISIA SENEGAL

J U N E 17 J U N E 17 J U N E 18 J U N E 19
Costa Rica v Serbia Germany v Mexico Belgium v Panama Poland v Senegal
(Samara, 1pm) (Moscow Luzhniki, 4pm) (Sochi, 4pm) (Moscow Spartak, 1pm)

J U N E 17 J U N E 18 J U N E 18 J U N E 19
Brazil v Switzerland Sweden v South Korea Tunisia v England Colombia v Japan
(Rostov-on-Don, 7pm) (Nizhny Novgorod, 1pm) (Volgograd, 7pm) (Saransk, 4p,)

JU N E 22 JUNE 23 JUNE 23 JUNE 24

Brazil v Costa Rica Germany v Sweden Belgium v Tunisia Japan v Senegal
(Saint Petersburg, 1pm) (Sochi, 4pm) (Moscow Spartak, 1pm) (Yekaterinburg, 4pm)

JU N E 22 JUNE 23 JUNE 24 JUNE 24

Serbia v Switzerland South Korea v Mexico England v Panama Poland v Colombia
(Kaliningrad, 7pm) (Rostov-on-Don, 7pm) (Nizhny Novgorod, 1pm) (Kazan, 7pm)

JUNE 27 JUNE 27 JUNE 28 JUNE 28

Serbia v Brazil South Korea v Germany England v Belgium Japan v Poland
(Moscow Spartak, 7pm) (Kazan, 3pm) (Kaliningrad, 7pm) (Volgograd, 3pm)

JUNE 27 JUNE 27 JUNE 28 JUNE 28

Switzerland v Costa Rica Mexico v Sweden Panama v Tunisia Senegal v Colombia
(Nizhny Novgorod, 7pm) (Yekaterinburg, 3pm) (Saransk, 7pm) (Samara, 3pm)
*all kick-off times are GMT
128 WORLD CUP 2018
 RO U N D O F 16
JUNE 30
C1 v D2 (Kazan, 3pm) (1)

JUNE 30
A1 v B2 (Sochi, 7pm) (2)

J U LY 1
B1 v A2 (Moscow Luzhniki, 3pm) (3)

J U LY 1
D1 v C2 (Nizhny Novgorod, 7pm) (4)

J U LY 2
E1 v F2 (Samara, 3pm) (5)

J U LY 2
G1 v H2 (Rostov, 7pm) (6)

J U LY 3
F1 v E2 (Saint Petersburg, 3pm) (7)

J U LY 3
H1 v G2 (Moscow Spartak, 7pm) (8)

Q UA RT E R- F I N A L S
J U LY 6
Winner 6 v Winner 2 (Nizhny Novgorod, 3pm) (1)

J U LY 6
Winner 5 v Winner 6 (Kazan, 7pm) (2)

J U LY 7
Winner 7 v Winner 8 (Samara, 1pm) (3)

J U LY 7
Winner 3 v Winner 4 (Sochi, 7pm) (4)

SEMI-FINALS
The prize J U LY 1 0
Winner QF1 v Winner QF 2 (Saint Petersburg, 7pm)
Final venue J U LY 11
Winner QF3 v Winner QF 4 (Moscow Luzhniki, 7pm)

T H I R D - P L AC E
P L AY- O F F
J U LY 14
Saint Petersburg, 3pm

FINAL J U LY 15
Moscow Luzhniki, 4pm

WORLD CUP 2018 129

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